Ethan Walker
The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882. It is a mutual benefit society for Catholic men, providing insurance and financial services to its members while promoting Catholic values and social teaching. The order is dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, with members engaging in charitable works and community service as a way to express their Catholic faith. With nearly 2 million members worldwide, it is the largest Catholic lay organization, actively supporting Catholic causes and providing aid to those in need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding principles | Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism |
| Year founded | 1882 |
| Founder | Father Michael J. McGivney |
| Membership | Practicing Catholic men, 18 years or older |
| Membership as of August 2024 | 2.1 million |
| Headquarters | New Haven, Connecticut |
| Insurance rating | A.M. Best's highest rating, A++ |
| Insurance in force | $74 billion |
| Donations in 2024 | $150 million |
| Charitable work | Helping children in need, providing wheelchairs for the physically disabled, supporting the intellectually handicapped, stocking food banks |
| Political involvement | Yes, promotes Catholic views on public policy issues |
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What You'll Learn
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service order
The organisation was established to address the growing need for support within the Catholic community, particularly in cases where families had lost their fathers to dangerous factory work conditions. Father McGivney, who served as assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, began inviting men from his parish to meet and discuss ways to provide financial aid to Catholic families facing hardship. The Knights of Columbus aimed to prevent Catholic men from joining secret societies with values that were contrary to Catholic teachings.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is restricted to practicing Catholic men who are at least 18 years old and in good standing with the Church. As of 2024, the organisation had over 2 million members worldwide, with the majority in North America. The Knights of Columbus operates through a system of local councils, with nearly 16,000 councils established internationally. These councils work to raise awareness and provide support for various social causes, including refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes, and global Catholic issues.
The Knights of Columbus has been recognised for its commitment to charitable service and its active role in politics, advocating for Catholic views on public policy issues worldwide. The organisation also provides financial services and insurance programs exclusively for its members and their families, which have received high ratings and recognition. The Knights of Columbus has played a significant role in supporting members of the armed forces and their families, with numerous military councils established on military bases worldwide.
The order is led by the Supreme Knight, who functions as the society's chief executive officer and is currently Patrick E. Kelly, the order's 14th Supreme Knight. The Knights of Columbus is governed by the Supreme Council, which is responsible for electing insurance members to serve on the Board of Directors. The organisation has faced some scrutiny regarding the seven-figure salaries of its senior officers.
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It was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society of Catholic men that was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, who was the assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. The organisation was founded on 29 March 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States.
Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus because he was concerned that Catholic men were joining societies with values that were against Catholic teachings. He also wanted to establish a means of providing financial help to Catholic families who had lost a family member. The organisation is named after explorer Christopher Columbus, who was Catholic and, at the time, considered to have discovered America. The choice of patron expressed the Knights' loyalty to their country.
The Knights of Columbus is dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Members are practising Catholics who provide financial protection for their families and engage in charitable works to benefit those in need. The organisation also supports Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social causes.
The Knights of Columbus has grown to about two million members, with nearly 16,000 local councils worldwide. The group has played an active role in politics since its formation, promoting Catholic views on public policy issues around the world.
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Membership is restricted to Catholic men
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society of Roman Catholic men. It was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney and chartered by the state of Connecticut in the United States in 1882. The Knights of Columbus is dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.
The Knights of Columbus was founded to provide financial aid and assistance to sick, disabled, and needy members and their families. The society chose Christopher Columbus as its patron, as he was a devout Catholic and the discoverer of America. This choice of patron was meant to express the Knights' loyalty to their country.
The Knights of Columbus has four degrees of membership. After induction and completion of the Exemplification of Charity, a new member becomes a First Degree Knight. They then progress through the Second and Third Degrees after completing the Exemplifications of Unity and Fraternity. A Third Degree Knight has attained full "Knighthood" status and can serve as a local council officer. They are also admitted to state and Supreme Council business meetings. A Third Degree Knight in good standing is eligible to complete the Exemplification of Patriotism and progress to the Fourth Degree.
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The core principles are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism
The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, with the core principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. It was established in 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States. Membership is restricted to men who are practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church.
The Knights of Columbus was founded to provide financial aid and assistance to sick, disabled, and needy members and their families. The core principle of charity is evident in the various charitable works the organization undertakes. Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, volunteering at the Special Olympics, and supporting mothers who choose life for their babies. They also help children in need, provide wheelchairs for the physically disabled, and support the intellectually handicapped.
The second core principle is unity. Members of the Knights of Columbus recognize that together, they can accomplish far more than they could individually, so they stick together and support one another. This unity also extends to their support for one another in matters of faith. The organization also promotes interfaith understanding.
The third core principle is fraternity. The Knights of Columbus was founded as a mutual benefit society, and this spirit of fraternity is evident in the way members support one another and their wider communities. The organization has also played an active role in politics, promoting the Catholic viewpoint on public policy issues worldwide.
The fourth core principle is patriotism. Members of the Knights of Columbus are proud of their devotion to God and country and believe in standing up for both. They remind the world that Catholics can be among their nation's greatest citizens. The organization chose Christopher Columbus, a devout Catholic, as its patron to express loyalty to their country.
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The Knights of Columbus is involved in charitable work
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society of Roman Catholic men founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882. It is dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, and its commitment to charitable service is a way for its members to express their Catholic faith.
The Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund provides a Council Account tailored for a state or local Knights of Columbus Council to maximize its ability to provide charitable support to organizations and causes within its community or to the Order's Faith in Action initiatives. Donations to Knights of Columbus Charities Inc. enable the organization to make a profound impact locally and globally. For example, the Knights assembled 3,000 prayer kits that were sent to Ukrainian soldiers during the 2022 Warriors to Lourdes trip. The Knights also support communities impacted by hurricanes and provide coats for children during the winter.
The Knights of Columbus has also funded more than 1,500 ultrasound machines through donations from councils and charitable donors, allowing over 1 million mothers to see their unborn children. In addition, the organization has provided active support to members of the armed forces and their families, with more than 50 military councils in military bases worldwide.
The Knights of Columbus has been involved in various other charitable initiatives, including refugee relief, Catholic education, and local parishes and dioceses. The organization also offers insurance and financial services exclusively for its members and their families, including permanent and term life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, and disability insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order.
Membership is restricted to men, aged 18 and above, who are practising Catholics in union with the Holy See and are in good standing with the Church.
The Knights of Columbus has four core principles: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.
The Knights of Columbus engage in charitable works and provide financial services to the Catholic community. They also support Catholic education, local parishes, dioceses, and global Catholic social causes.
