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| St. Patrick, pray for the Knights of Columbus! |
In 2007 at their national convention, the Knights voted not to honor any pro-abort politicians by inviting them as speakers or honoring them in any way. This has been the consistent position (in words) of the Knights. (See here.)
Last year Council 3548 invited a pro-abort to lead the parade. Fr.Dan Beeman pastor of Holy Trinity, the parish with which the council is affiliated, asked them to reconsider and they did. (Note: The council has not had a chaplain for the past five years. Why is that one wonders?) They also promised at the time not to make the same mistake in the future. (See Fr. Dan Beeman's letter here.)
This year, in direct contradiction of their promise, they invited one of Virginia's most scandalous Catholics to serve as Grand Marshal of the parade and be their honored guest at the Emerald Ball preceding the event.
Despite calls from Knights around the state to halt the egregious scandal to the Church, the Virginia State Council is running from the battle (their yellow capes flapping in the wind).
The children are more courageous than these "men" in black. Six Catholic schools have withdrawn from the parade. The little ones and their parents have more backbone than the K of C state cowards.
Meanwhile, Governor McAuliffe has assured everyone he is a lifelong Catholic who takes his faith "very seriously." He just doesn't believe any of it. But, hey, there are so many voters in the pew and if he's good enough to be honored by the Knights, well he must be a stalwart Catholic indeed!
Meanwhile, Governor McAuliffe has assured everyone he is a lifelong Catholic who takes his faith "very seriously." He just doesn't believe any of it. But, hey, there are so many voters in the pew and if he's good enough to be honored by the Knights, well he must be a stalwart Catholic indeed!
Get your barf bag ready as you read the state deputy's letter:
March 10, 2015 via email
Worthy Grand Knights,See responses from some REAL KNIGHTS in the comment section!
It recently came to our attention that Council 3548, which organizes the Norfolk Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, had selected the Virginia Governor to be Grand Marshal. This selection has caused confusion and distress among some [Inviting a rabid pro-abort only concerns some?] of our members. Neither I nor any of the other State Officers were aware of this selection until after the invitation to the Governor had been made and accepted, and planning by the City and State of Virginia had been completed.
As a general rule, we would prefer to keep politics out of celebrations of this sort and would discourage the invitation of any politicians. However, the selection of the Governor as Grand Marshal should not be interpreted as implying approval or endorsement of his views on any issue. [Is this a joke? People won't perceive it that way?] The parade is a nonpartisan, apolitical civic event that is open to the public, and several recent Governors and other political and civic leaders have served as the Grand Marshal of the Norfolk Parade over its long history. The Governor's participation should be understood in that sense alone.
You should know there is some erroneous and misleading information [Oh really? Exactly what "erroneous and misleading information" pray tell? Was McAuliffe invited? Is he a pro-abort? Has he witnessed same sex weddings? Enlighten us!] currently being circulated throughout the State by many who are not Knights. [That's me, just a knight's lady.] We are working to keep our discussions of sensitive matters pertaining to the Knights of Columbus from being misconstrued. [State to the hoi-polloi -- Please just shut up and don't embarrass us!]
All of us have worked hard to make the Knights of Columbus an organization that is known for our strong faith [Sorry, silence in the face of grave evil implies consent and is certainly not a sign of "strong faith."!] and charitable works, and we should not allow this parade to become a distraction from the good work we do. [How much poison can be added to a "good" glass of wine before it kills?]
I am praying for those of us who feel so deeply about this situation, that we can all “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). [We certainly trust in the Lord who spoke very clearly in persona Christi through Fr. Beeman. Why aren't the Knights listening?]
Be Faith in Action [Is this a joke?]
Steve Burnley
State Deputy
WSD (Worthy State Deputy),
ReplyDeleteI had hoped for better, but really expected exactly what you sent out to all the GK's in the state concerning the St. Patrick's parade in Norfolk; a very, very weak statement that tries to absolve you of any responsibility. And I'm sure you received guidance from Supreme on how to handle this "distraction". Our leadership, State and Supreme, has failed us greatly. Instead of standing tall as Knights and defending the teachings of the church, our leaders are more concerned about upsetting the plans made by the City and State. What a cowardly approach to a serious public scandal. Today I'm ashamed to be a Knight.
Larry Kreitzer
Council 9002
Woodstock, VA
Dear Brother Knights,
ReplyDeletePax Christi!
The reason we are drowning in the blood of innocent unborn children is because Catholic men fail to defend them. This Norfolk abomination is no different than honoring unrepentant King Herod at a celebration after he had murdered the Holy Innocents or making unrepentant Pontius Pilate the guest of honor at a Christian celebration after he had crucified Our Lord. Again and again during the last fifty years, Catholic men in positions of leadership have preferred to favor the rich and powerful of this world rather than defend the innocent and defenseless. Catholic men betraying the Catholic Faith is the main reason why we have the anti-culture of death in this country. But God is not mocked. Those who favor the godless oppressors of the innocent in this life will--unless they repent--spend eternity with them in the next.
May God have mercy on us all!
Yours in Christ through the Immaculata,
Hugh Owen
Brother Knights of 9002:
ReplyDeleteYou have been promptly advised and given materials of fact since Friday – including the extraordinary letter to the Holy Trinity Church parish at Norfolk by its brave pastor – over the matter of the Knights of Columbus bestowing a high-profile honor to a politician who is openly hostile toward our Holy Church.
I’ll not insult your faith and intelligence by mincing words over the latest developments....
Last night, State Deputy Steve Burnley addressed what I and many of my peers across the state have rightly termed a scandal regarding the manner by which Council 3548 had voluntarily and with defiant aforethought named Governor McAuliffe as grand marshal of their parade.
In short, the Deputy affirms that plans for the parade are set and will not change – and wrongly intimates that objections to them are based ‘in part’ on “misinformation.”
He also implies that national resolutions are mere guidelines rather than specific affirmations of organizational principal. (One must wonder why we bother with resolutions in the first place: the root word ‘resolve’ once actually meant “resolve”).
Ironically, a few days ago, I had shared my thoughts to a confidante on how our leadership would ultimately handle this clear despoiling of the reputation of both our Church and our Order:
“Will our leadership ultimately behave as Henry II -- and intimate that the membership 'rid us of this turbulent priest?' -- or, will they have the fortitude of St. Thomas More and refuse to abide the Henry VIIIs of our time?”
Sadly, we now have our answer.
Infinitely more importantly: we endanger our own immortal souls when we act to lead others astray. With Council 3548’s voluntary association with evil through bestowing a public honor to a pro-abortion; anti-marriage politician, we as an Order are sending a clear signal as Catholics that such evils are not so evil, after all.
Also as of last night: the Norfolk news media are reporting that local Catholic schools are withdrawing their participation in the parade. Would that our Order have such courage!
http://wavy.com/2015/03/10/catholic-schools-back-out-of-parade-to-make-a-statement/
Please note at article’s end how the governor’s office is making full political use of this dispute while falsely witnessing the governor’s supposed personal Catholic credentials. The Devil couldn’t be more pleased with our lack of resolve!
I cannot sufficiently express the depth of my disappointment with the tone and tenor of WSD [Worthy State Deputy] Steve’s advisory, or of the resulting insult by his misapplication of Proverbs 3:5 at closing.
Speaking for myself, it is certainly not the Lord whom I mistrust. My mistrust is rightly placed upon a apostate governor and those who sell their souls in order to curry his favors.
It is not without reason that my first advisory on this scandal properly cited Matthew 16:26. To wit: "For what profits a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
My dear brothers: Our Lord’s clear admonition is at the heart of this matter!
Pray that we, as a self-identified Catholic organization, shall not, by our deeds and failure to act, continue to publicly mock the martyrs of two millennia -- and of today -- who defended the Faith with their lives!
Fraternally,
Danny Flathers
Grand Knight
Council 9002 Woodstock
Member Assembly 1883 Winchester
Dear Brother Burnley,
ReplyDeleteAs a member of John Carrell Jenkins Council in Front Royal, I respectively ask what steps are being taken to dismiss the members of Council #3548 in Norfolk, who are no longer associated with a Catholic parish or Catholic organization and have publicly and shamefully lied to and disobeyed their pastor.
Sincerely,
Mark Egger
Some of your statements are erroneous. The six schools did not withdraw from the parade. As in years past, they were the guests of the local division of the AOH. The AOH withdrew from marching stating their solidarity with the pastor of Holy Trinity as a reason. The six schools were not in the parade because they were not invited. One cannot withdraw from something one was not invited to attend.
ReplyDeleteHoly Trinity withdrew on its own.
ReplyDeleteThe other five schools, as you say, were marching with the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Regardless, they were withdrawn from the parade. I think you are making a distinction with little difference.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 56 years, I am extremely disappointed with the inaction of the State, and Supreme officials on this issue.We pray that the sins of a few, will nor deter the many of our pro life agenda.
ReplyDeleteBro Al Basil
Council 11957
Shelby Twp Michigan