
Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly with his wife, Vanessa, walk with thousands of pro-life advocates during the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 24. (Photo by Paul Haring)
CV NEWS FEED // The Knights of Columbus joined pro-life supporters from across the nation in Washington, D.C., Jan. 24 for the 52nd annual March for Life. The organization has participated in the March every year since it began in 1974.
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly noted the group’s longstanding mission to defend life in a Jan. 24 emailed press release.
“For more than 50 years, Knights from around the world have proudly marched with young people, women and children, and thousands more from every background who believe in the dignity and worth of every human life,” Kelly said. “Being pro-life means being pro-woman and pro-child. Today, vulnerable women and their babies deserve support and life-affirming care — not the cruel physical and psychological realities that accompany an abortion.”
Kelly described the Knights’ participation in the March as part of their broader efforts to support women, children, and families.
“Helping vulnerable women and children is in the Knights’ DNA,” he said.
Kelly detailed some of the organization’s pro-life efforts, noting that their Ultrasound Initiative has funded more than 1,900 ultrasound machines for pregnancy resource centers. He added that their Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) program has raised more than $13.9 million for maternity homes and related services in the U.S. and Canada.
He described the Knights’ participation in the March for Life as both a reflection of their belief in the dignity of every human life and an effort to emulate St. Joseph.
“By participating in the March for Life, Catholic men are walking in the footsteps of Christ’s earthly father, St. Joseph — the patron saint of fathers, and the patron saint of the universal Church,” Kelly said. “As Knights we encourage our members to be like St. Joseph — to be men bold in their faith, men of courage, and men of action — who work to build strong marriages and strong families.”
He also pointed to the March for Life as an important moment to continue efforts to change hearts and minds about the sanctity of life, an endeavor that is “far from over.”
“The Knights of Columbus’ mission to support vulnerable mothers in need and their children will continue to guide our work,” Kelly said, “as we remind our nation’s lawmakers at every level that life is a sacred and precious gift worth protecting.”
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