Knights of Columbus vibrant, report says

WASHINGTON. D.C.(Zenit.org).- The Knights of Columbus is strong and vibrant in 2010, changing lives for the better around the globe, according to an annual report from Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

The report was released during the Knights' annual convention this month in Washington D.C.. The 50-page statement considers the Knights' growth and activities, detailing themes ranging from their life insurance programs to their pro-life work.

The men's charitable organization welcomed 2009 as the 39th consecutive year in which membership grew. Some 74,000 joined the Knights last year bringing worldwide membership to 1.8 million, with nearly 14,000 active councils around the globe.


The report mentioned the growth of youth involvement in the Knights of Columbus, through the Columbian Squires program for boys, aged 10 to 18. Anderson recommended presenting the program at Catholic high schools, while reporting that growth on college campuses in 2009 was also noteworthy: 10 new councils were established at colleges in the United States last year, while five more were set up in the Philippines and one in Mexico.
"One of our highest priorities must be to keep these young men active in the Knights of Columbus when they graduate."

New records were set in 2009 for Knights' charitable activities: they donated $151,105,867 last year, an increase of more than $1 million from the year before.

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