KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS
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Pope praises Fr. McGivney as an "exemplary American priest"
Homily at St.
Patrick's Cathedral cites his "vision and zeal"
(NEW YORK, NY) - During his homily at this morning's Mass for Clergy
and Religious
at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Pope Benedict XVI made special mention of "theremarkable
accomplishment of
that exemplary American priest, the Venerable Michael McGivney,
whose vision and zeal led to the establishment of the Knights
of Columbus." McGivney's cause for sainthood is being considered
at the Vatican, and the Popedeclared
him
a venerable servant of God in mid-March.
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson made the
following statement regarding
the Pope's remarks:
"This morning, Pope Benedict reminded America's clergy that the 'secret of the impressive
growth
of the Church' in the U.S. was a 'unity of vision and purpose - rooted in
faith and a spirit of constant conversion
and self-sacrifice,' and held up as prime example our founder, Fr. McGivney.
"The Pope's selection of Fr.
McGivney as a role model for today's priests and religiousis very important for us. Thousands of priests are among the 1.7
million members
of the Knights of Columbus, including Cardinal Egan and hundreds of others in the Archdiocese of
New York. Each and every day, all of us in the Knights of Columbus
look to Fr. McGivney's vision and example as a guide
to our work of charity and evangelization. At a time when our priests are in need of our support more than ever, the Pope's
promotion of Fr.
McGivney as a role model for clergy
everywhere
is both timely and enormously appreciated. We pledge our fervent supportfor his call to revitalize and
renew the Catholic Church here and around the world."
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