Francis Encourages Knights in Their Public Witness

Says Patrimony of Moral Truths Must Be Protected

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The Pope’s secretary of state sent a letter on Francis’ behalf to the Knights of Columbus, expressing his appreciation for the Knights’ public witness in protecting believers’ rights to participate in the public square.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent the note on the occasion of the Knights’ 131st Supreme Convention, which is concluding today in San Antonio, Texas.

The convention’s theme, “Be Protectors of God’s Gifts,” is drawn from the Pope’s homily at the inauguration of his papal ministry. 

The letter draws from the theme, saying that the Pope invites each Knight and each of their councils to “bear witness to the authentic nature of marriage and the family, the sanctity and inviolable dignity of human life, and the beauty and truth of human sexuality.”

“In this time of rapid social and cultural changes, the protection of God’s gifts cannot fail to include the affirmation and defense of the great patrimony of moral truths taught by the Gospel and confirmed by right reason, which serve as the bedrock of a just and well-ordered society,” Cardinal Bertone stated.

The letter affirms that “His Holiness once more expresses his appreciation of the clear public witness offered by the Knights of Columbus in protecting the right and duty of believers to participate responsibly, on the basis of their deepest convictions, in the life of society.”

“In his Encyclical Lumen Fidei, he pointed out that faith, precisely because it embraces God’s truth, sheds light on the authentic meaning and purpose of life, strengthens the bonds uniting individuals and communities, and thus serves as a trustworthy foundation for building a just and humane society (cf. 50-51),” Cardinal Bertone added. “As the present Year of Faith draws to its close, the Holy Father asks each Knight to rekindle through personal prayer, ongoing catechesis and works of charity, the light of faith — Lumen Fidei — which expands our horizons, opens our hearts to love and guides our steps as individuals, families and nations along the path of hope to which God constantly guides us and all of human history.”

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On ZENIT’s Web page:

Full text: www.zenit.org/en/articles/papal-letter-to-knights-of-columbus–2

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Kathleen Naab

United States

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