Bishop Grahmann calls Knights to be a spiritual force in the world

Published: 2004-08-04

DALLAS (CNS) -- Using the words of Pope John Paul II, Dallas Bishop Charles V. Grahmann challenged the Knights of Columbus to be "a leaven of the Gospel in the world and a spiritual force for the renewal of the church." Bishop Grahmann was the main celebrant and homilist for the opening Mass at the Knights of Columbus' 122nd national convention Aug. 3. He addressed approximately 2,500 members from five countries. The crowd included 13 cardinals and 60 bishops. Bishop Grahmann thanked the Knights for their fidelity to the vision of their founder, Father Michael McGivney. The priest founded the Knights in 1882 with a group of lay associates in New Haven, Conn., to aid widows and children in his parish. Today, the Knights provide more than $52 billion in insurance for members and their families. With 1.7 million members, it is the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world. Bishop Grahmann lauded the Knights for countless hours of volunteer service and challenged them to adapt their evangelism to the pressing issues of society.

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