KnightLine JANUARY 2009 VOL. 26 • NO. 1

www.kofc.org NEWS FOR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LEADERS 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW rom Pope Benedict’s than 100,000 participants (NOM) in order to “protect and Benedict XVI, is a call historic visit to the to “find a better way” than marriage and the faith for all people to build a cul- F United States in abortion. “We can give communities that sustain ture of life and a civiliza- April to an election season hope to every woman and it.” The president of NOM tion of love. As the with marriage and life every child,” he says. calls the Knights “the foot supreme knight promotes issues at stake, 2008 was “Today I see thousands of soldiers for the bishops and the book at Harvard filled with examples of the helping hands ready to the faith” in the battle to University, Georgetown, Knights of Columbus liv- make this hope a reality, preserve the definition of the Vatican, the United ing up to its reputation as and I know there are mil- marriage as a union Nations and other stops on the “strong right arm of lions more willing to give. between one man and one his book tour, A Civili- the Church.” Together we can bring woman. zation of Love debuts at change.” number seven on the New JANUARY I Councils across the MARCH York Times best-seller list. I Supreme Knight Carl A. United States prepare for I Pope Benedict XVI All author proceeds are Anderson announces a Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to declares Father Michael J. donated to Knights of record $66.1 billion of life New York and Washington, McGivney a “Venerable Columbus Charities. insurance in force by the D.C., with special prayers Servant of God,” advancing I Founder’s Day on end of 2007. The Order also and recruitment activities the cause for canonization March 29 marks the con- sets a record in life insur- in his honor. Every new of the Knights of clusion of the Order’s ance sales, which totaled Knight recruited through Columbus’ founder and 125th anniversary. Con- $6.564 billion. June has his name included affirming Father McGiv- necticut Knights com- I Thousands of Knights in a book later presented to ney’s heroic virtue. memorated the day with and their family members the pope. I Supreme Knight Ander- Mass at St. Mary’s Church participate in the 35th son releases his book A in New Haven, where the annual March for Life in FEBRUARY Civilization of Love: What Order was founded in 1882. Washington, D.C. Supreme I The Order joins with Every Catholic Can Do to Knight Anderson addresses the newly-formed National Transform the World. The APRIL the crowd, urging the more Organization for Marriage book, inspired by the I The Order sponsors a YEAR IN PICTURES vision of Popes John Paul II Vatican conference on the

College Knights from Notre Dame University A stained-glass window of Father Michael J. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson discusses the Council 1477 in South Bend, Ind., were among McGivney was installed at Holy Spirit Church in themes of his book, A Civilization of Love: What the thousands of Knights who participated in Lubbock, Texas, by Holy Spirit Council 13447. On Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World,in the 35th annual March for Life on Jan. 22, 2008, March 16, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI approved a Rome April 1. Also pictured are Cardinal James F. in Washington, D.C. The Supreme Council sup- decree of heroic virtue for Father McGivney, Stafford (left) and Msgr. Livio Melina. The book ports the march each year. giving him the title “Venerable Servant of God.” was released March 25, 2008. aftermath of divorce and they have a better under- tional Eucharistic Congress AUGUST abortion. That same week, standing of Catholic teach- in Quebec City. I The Knights’ 126th the first World Apostolic ings on important issues. Supreme Convention is Congress on Mercy, for I Supreme Chaplain Bish- JUNE held in Quebec City under which the Knights provid- op William E. Lori receives I State deputies meet in the theme “Building a ed funding, meets in Rome. the Massachusetts Knights’ New Haven, resolving to Civilization of Love I Fourth Degree honor Lantern Award, the state strengthen the Order’s through Charity, Unity and guards participate in key council’s highest public efforts to serve Pope Bene- Fraternity.” In his annual events during Pope Bene- honor. The award is given dict XVI and help him build report, Supreme Knight dict XVI’s trip to New York to a public figure whose life up the Church. Anderson strongly reaf- and Washington, D.C. and work reflects the reli- I Etchings of Rome by the firms the Order’s commit- Their presence at President gious and patriotic ideals of 18th-century master print- ment to the defense of George W. Bush’s welcome America’s founding fathers. maker Giovanni Battista human life and the institu- for the pope is believed to Piranesi are exhibited at the tion of marriage. be the first time that the MAY Knights of Columbus I The Order resolves to Fourth Degree has partici- I Supreme Knight Ander- Museum. create a Culture of Life pated in a White House cer- son and his wife, Dorian, I Knights help make the Fund, to be accumulated emony. deliver the 119th com- International Eucharist by country and used in I At a Mass for clergy and mencement address to near- Congress a success in that country to educate religious at St. Patrick’s ly 1,200 undergraduates of Quebec City, volunteering regarding matters affecting Cathedral in New York, The Catholic University of as drivers, security and life, family, marriage, and the pope mentions “the America in Washington, honor guards, and providing similar priorities in build- remarkable accomplish- D.C. The university confers financial support. Prior to ing a culture of life. ment of that exemplary honorary theology doctor- the congress, Canadian I The Order launches American priest, the ates upon each of them in Knights transported the two new Web initiatives: Venerable Michael McGiv- recognition of their witness wooden, icon-covered Ark Fathers for Good (www. ney, whose vision and zeal “to a civilization of love of the New Covenant fathersforgood.org), which led to the establishment of embodied in Catholic mar- across the country. provides resources for men the Knights of Columbus.” riage and family love.” as they strive to be better I Following the pope’s I The Order finances a JULY husbands and fathers, and visit, a poll commissioned film about the life of I A delegation of college Headline Bistro (www. by the Knights of Vietnamese Cardinal Ngu- Knights assist the Sisters of headlinebistro.com), a Columbus shows that 65 yen Xavier Van Thuan, who Life and the Pontifical John news site dedicated to percent of Americans have was imprisoned by the Paul II Institute for Studies bringing Catholic readers a more positive view of communist government for on Marriage and Family at relevant Church, national Pope Benedict and 52 per- 13 years. The film, pro- World Youth Day in and world news. cent have a more positive duced by Salt and Light Sydney, Australia, running I Standard & Poor’s reaf- view of the Catholic Catholic Television, later the Love and Life Site, a firms the Order’s AAA rat- Church. Nearly half say premiers at the Interna- special catechetical site for ing for the 16th consecu- WYD attendees. tive year. YEAR IN PICTURES

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn (right) of Vienna, Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori (second An honor guard from Msgr. Hugh Gillis Assembly Austria, greets Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. from left) shown among U.S. bishops applauding in Antigonish, N.S., greets the Ark of the New Lori and Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson at the Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium April 20, Covenant as it arrives at St. Ninian Cathedral. opening of the first World Apostolic Congress on 2008, the last day of the pope’s apostolic journey Canadian Knights transported the ark throughout Mercy at the Vatican April 2, 2008. The Supreme to the United States. Knights accompanied Pope the country, leading up to the 49th International Council helped sponsor the weeklong event. Benedict during each stop of his visit. Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City last June. 2 SEPTEMBER College Council Confer- movement in the U.S. and Church.” He encourages I Jean B. Migneault, for- ence in New Haven, featur- Canada. the bishops to provide mer deputy supreme ing presentations on pro- greater formation in Scrip- knight, passes away on grams and leadership, a OCTOBER ture for the laity. Sept. 4 in Montreal. tour the Supreme Office I Pope Benedict XVI Supreme Knight Anderson and recognition of college addresses the Board of NOVEMBER spoke for the Order when councils for exceptional Directors at a private audi- I Supreme Knight Ander- he said the Knights lost “a growth and achievements. ence at the Vatican, encour- son congratulates President- true friend and outstanding I In the midst of the aging them to renew the elect Obama on his historic fraternal leader” with nation’s financial upheavals, Church in the spirit of win, offering the Order’s Migneault’s death and Supreme Knight Anderson Father McGivney. Supreme prayers for strength and called Migneault “a man of issues a statement on the Knight Anderson also wisdom. great faith and charity.” stability of the Knights of addresses the pope, pledging I Initiatives to define I The Knights team up Columbus’ $14 billion in the Knights’ even “greater marriage as a union with the Archdiocese of assets. Citing the Order’s efforts” in building the cul- between one man and one Chicago and the National very conservative approach ture of life through their woman win in all three Office of Post-Abortion to investing, the Supreme international presence. states where they were on Reconciliation and Healing Knight said “the wisdom of I A poll commissioned by the ballot, thanks in part to sponsor a conference on that approach has been the Knights on “Moral to the support of the men and abortion. The proven sound” as “our Issues and Catholic Voters” Knights of Columbus. conference is titled financial condition remains finds that there is more Additionally, the Order “Reclaiming Fatherhood: extremely strong.” national consensus than joins with the U.S. Confer- A Multifaceted Exami- I With the elections division over the issue of ence of Catholic Bishops in nation of Men Dealing underway, the Order abortion rights, with 71 forming a committee to with Abortion.” redoubles its efforts to pro- percent of self-described promote Catholic teaching I McGivney Hall, the mote a culture of life. pro-choice voters saying on marriage. new home of the Pontifical Supreme Knight Anderson they favored significant John Paul II Institute for writes an open letter to limitations on abortion. DECEMBER Studies on Marriage and Sen. Joseph Biden, chal- Not surprisingly, practicing I The fourth annual Family, is dedicated and lenging the then-candi- Catholics are even more in “Christmas in Miniature” blessed at The Catholic date’s positions on abor- favor of restrictions on exhibit goes on display at University of America. The tion and Catholic teach- abortion than non-practic- the Knights of Columbus hall was renovated with a ing. The Order launches a ing Catholics. Museum, featuring Euro- grant from the Supreme radio ad campaign featur- I As an auditor at the pean nativity scenes. Council, and the Order has ing the message, “Vote Synod of Bishops in Rome, I Meeting with the presi- supported the institute your heart. Vote Pro-Life.” Supreme Knight Anderson dent of the Canadian since its inception in Together with Salt and addresses the general Conference of Catholic Washington 20 years ago. Light Catholic Television, assembly on its topic of Bishops (CCCB), the Order I More than 150 college the Knights produce a doc- “The Word of God in the affirms its support of vari- Knights attend the annual umentary on the pro-life Life and Mission of the ous CCCB initiatives. O

A delegation of college Knights welcomed Pope Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson greets Cardinal A Fourth Degree honor guard, including two Benedict XVI’s ship into Sydney Harbor July 17, 2008. Marc Ouellet of Quebec, primate of Canada, at college Knights from The Catholic University of Working with the Sisters of Life and the Pontifical the 126th Supreme Convention. The theme of America, leads a procession during the blessing John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the convention, which was held Aug. 5-7, 2008, in and dedication of McGivney Hall Sept. 8, 2008. The Family, Knights helped run the Love and Life Site, Quebec City, was “Building a Civilization of Love Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate serving pilgrims at World Youth Day 2008. Through Charity, Unity and Fraternity.” Conception is seen in the background. 3 KnightLine

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speculative investments in order to According to a 2008 Standard & generate emergency cash; cancel Poor’s rating report, “The Knights their life insurance to get at their of Columbus insurance program cash values, leaving their children has a stable outlook. Its capitaliza- unprotected should they die; or pull tion is expected to remain extreme- money out of their annuities even ly strong, and liquidity is expected Still Standing Strong though it triggers a taxable event, to remain extremely strong.” surrender penalty, or both. The Knights also received an BY THOMAS P. SMITH JR. A.M. Best Company rating of A++ EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT (Superior) for the 33rd consecutive (AGENCIES AND MARKETING) Knights of Columbus year. The Knights of Columbus is Insurance provides stability one of only five insurance providers s 2009 kicks off, take a amidst economic difficulties in North America to receive the good, hard look at the last highest ratings from both Standard & A year in review. It’s been Poor’s and A.M. Best, as well as cer- interesting, hasn’t it? With the diffi- For more than 126 years, the tification from the Insurance culties of the automotive, high Knights of Columbus has offered its Marketplace Standards Association tech, financial services, housing members financial stability through (IMSA) for ethical business practices. and pharmaceutical arenas, con- conservative portfolios of life insur- For consumers, best practices sumers face significant challenges ance, long-term care insurance and include doing your research and when deciding how and where to annuity products. Since its founding working with those you trust. If safely place their money. in 1882, the Order’s primary mis- you want a stable and secure insur- These economic trends hit sion has been to protect families ance company to provide for your North Americans squarely in their against the financial ruin caused by family’s future, you have found it financial solar plexus. As cash the death of a family’s provider. with the Knights of Columbus. O flows constrict, “typical con- PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL sumers” may consider risky finan- cial options. They may push for 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326 203-752-4562 N [email protected]