KNIGHTS CONVENTION

At conclusion of business session, Knights pass resolutions on life issues, marriage, violence and pornography

By Andrew Junker | Aug. 6, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

In the final business session of their 127th Supreme Convention the Knights of Columbus passed a number of resolutions touching on right-to-life issues, marriage, violence and pornography, among others.

The session — closed to non-delegates — rounded out the three-day convention, which drew thousands of Knights from across the globe.

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The resolution cited a personal appeal from Pope Benedict XVI calling on the Knights to “defend the moral truths necessary for a free and humane society, including the fundamental right to life of every human being.”

It expressed grave concerns with the Congress’ proposed health care legislation that would “accomplish by stealth many of the aims of the so-called Freedom of Choice Act, including federal funding of abortions for the first time since adoption of the Hyde Amendment in 1976.”

The resolution also listed attacks to the culture of life from across the world including: a measure to legalize assisted suicide that will soon be debated by the Canadian Parliament; more widespread embryonic stem-cell research; and governmental and non-governmental agencies attempting to force abortion-on-demand on countries like Mexico, Poland and the Philippines.

In order to combat these growing pressures, the Knights of Columbus reaffirmed their “unconditional support for the right to life and full protection in law for every human being from conception to natural death.”

They also resolved to oppose any effort to repeal the Hyde Amendment and any health care reform legislation that does not “explicitly exclude abortion coverage for any health insurance plan, public or private.”

The Knights also called on legislators everywhere to pass laws protecting the conscience rights of doctors, and reaffirmed their policy of not inviting to any event public figures who are pro-abortion.

Calling marriage a “natural institution based on ancient human values that are deeply rooted in our social, legal and religious institutions,” the Knights pledged to support bishops across the world in promoting the Catholic understand of marriage as the “lifelong union of one man and one woman,” and promised their efforts to achieve legal and constitutional protection for the traditional definition of marriage.

The document expressed concern with the prevalence of “sexually explicit, violent and profane materials” in modern society, but especially on the Internet, where the Knights claim as much as 35 percent of all Web content is pornographic.

“The costs to society are enormous, and include infidelity, broken marriages, both direct and indirect harm to children and a general breakdown of moral standards of every sort,” the resolution states.

To combat these ills, the organization called upon law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute criminal conduct in this area, especially child pornography, and they encouraged parents to foster a “wholesome atmosphere and open communication on sexual matters within the family.”

The Knights of Columbus also passed resolutions to observe the Church’s Year for Priests by praying, fasting and acts of charity. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the beatification cause of Fr. Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.

They recognized the great gift of a Catholic education and pledged their support for legislation providing for parental choice in education through tax credits, vouchers and scholarship.

They called upon people everywhere to volunteer their time to “programs and projects that benefit the needy,” reaffirmed their dedication to patriotism and love of country, and promised the renewal of their devotion to Marian prayer and the rosary “as a way to strengthen the family and to spread the Gospel of Life.”

Following the conclusion of the business session, the Knights began their first ever International Marian Congress dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The congress will feature lectures, films and art about the apparition of Mary to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, and will conclude with a Aug. 8 festival at Glendale’s Jobing.com arena, where officials expect an attendance of more than 17,000.