The Knights of Columbus will donate $50,000 to the Holy Father to help provide relief for children affected by last week’s deadly earthquake northeast Rome.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson informed Pope Francis of the donation when he greeted the pope at an audience Sunday, Aug. 28.
That conversation followed the Holy Father’s angelus address in which he prayed for the victims and noted that the rapid response to the quake shows “how important solidarity is in overcoming such painful trials.” The Pope continued by noting that “service to one’s brothers and sisters becomes a testimony of love, which makes God’s love credible.”
“The Knights of Columbus is pleased to answer the Holy Father’s call and to assist those, especially children, who are suffering so much as a result of this devastating disaster in Italy,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Consistent with our first principle, charity, and as we have done in situations of natural disasters and other needs in the United States and around the world, the Knights of Columbus is committed to showing solidarity and God’s mercy concretely through our help of those most in need.”
The Knights’ support for earthquake victims comes at the same time that the organization has donated substantially in terms of funds and volunteers to the victims of the recent floods in Louisiana.
In addition, the Knights of Columbus is supporting the ongoing Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy on the American Continent being held in in Bogota, which includes outreach to the poor of that city as a part of the event which has brought together cardinals, bishops, priests and laity from throughout the American hemisphere – from Canada to Argentina. The event is being sponsored by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Latin American Episcopal Conference (CELAM).
Last year, the Knights of Columbus donated in total more than $175 million and 75 million hours to charitable initiatives worldwide including for disaster relief, support for Christians in the Middle East, support for fresh water wells and AIDS orphans in Africa, as well as charitable projects around world at the parish, community and national levels, and at the Vatican.
