Who are the Knights of Columbus?

Answer

The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a Catholic fraternal lay organization founded in Connecticut in 1881. Father Michael J. McGivney aimed to establish a Catholic alternative to secret societies (such as Freemasonry) and to assist the families of men who perished while working in factories. The group expanded rapidly as men were attracted to the principles of serving the church and living with loyalty, charity, and respect for others. The association was named after Christopher Columbus as a demonstration of their patriotism to the United States. While priests may oversee meetings, they are prohibited from joining due to being already under orders from the church.

Although membership is restricted to “practical” Catholic men, the Knights of Columbus are recognized for their efforts beyond the Catholic Church. The K of C worked to combat religious bias, starting with anti-Catholic sentiments and extending to causes supporting freedom of religion. Since before World War I, they have provided support to military service members through recreational facilities and, later, assistance with job placement. They also played a significant role in the inclusion of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. The K of C cannot endorse political candidates, but they are actively involved in both political and moral causes such as the pro-life movement, religious freedom, racial equality, immigration, and a biblical perspective on marriage.

Prospective members of the Knights of Columbus must be 18 years of age or older, in good standing with the Holy See, and must acknowledge the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Boys aged between 10 and 18 can join the Columbian Squires. Some councils have auxiliary groups for women. In addition to participating in various service areas, members are eligible for life, long-term care, and disability insurance.

The four degrees of membership in the Knights of Columbus are founded on four principles: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. There are also leadership positions.

From Assembly Commander to Supreme Master, the Knights of Columbus have various ranks and a color guard that participates in parades.

There have been some public controversies related to the Knights of Columbus. For instance, Gonzaga University, which is considered a Catholic institution, refused to grant recognition to a Knights group because they restricted membership to male Catholics. The Knights of Columbus actively supported Proposition 8 in California and are involved in opposing same-sex marriage. Like any organization, there are internal disputes, and while some chapters may exhibit cult-like behavior, it seems to be limited to specific instances within the Knights of Columbus.

The initiation ceremonies for progressing through the ranks are kept confidential; as one online commentator noted, “If you fully embrace Catholicism, you’ll have no issue with the initiation process.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of the organization. Many of the charitable activities undertaken by the Knights of Columbus have a positive impact on society and align with evangelical Christian values. However, given that it is a Roman Catholic organization with the primary objective of promoting Roman Catholic doctrines, it is not advisable or feasible for an evangelical Christian to become a member of the Knights of Columbus.