Cardinal Jaime Ortega of Havana, Cuba, accepts the eighth Gaudium et Spes Award from Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson during the States Dinner at the 128th SupremeConvention. Cardinal Ortega, who has served as archbishop of Havana since 1981, received the highest honor conferred by the Knights of Columbus for his tireless witnessto the Gospel and his defense of religious freedom. In recent months, Cardinal Ortega has been involved in discussions with the Cuban government resulting in the release ofdozens of political prisoners. The Knights of Columbus founded its first council in Cuba in 1909 and in recent years has renewed activity there. The Order has workedclosely with the cardinal and provided crucial support for the new San Carlos y San Ambrosio National Seminary, which is due to open soon.

D elivering his annual report Aug. 4 during the opening businesssession of the 128th Supreme Convention in Washington, D.C.,Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson outlined the details of a record yearfor the Knights of Columbus in terms of charitable giving and volunteerhours.In 2009, the Order donated more than $151 million to charity, and

members provided more than 69 million service hours to worthy causes, according to the annual Survey of Fraternal Activity. In its 39th consecutive year of growth, the Order’s membership now stands at morethan 1.8 million.A highlight of the supreme knight’s 90-minute address was the

announcement of a new K of C initiative titled “Hope for Haiti’s Children,” which will be implemented in cooperation with the University of Miami/Medishare Hospital in Port-au-Prince.“Today, I am proud to report to you that the Order’s Board of Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson delivers his annual report, outlining the state of

the Order, Aug. 3 in Washington, D.C.

KNIGHTLINEKNIGHTLINEN E W S F R O M T H E 1 2 8 T H S U P R E M E C O N V E N T I O N

A U G . 4 , 2 0 1 0 � N U M B E R 4

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS In Service to One. In Service to Al l .

SEE REPORT, PAGE 2

Cardinal Ortega Honored with Gaudium et Spes Award

‘I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER’Supreme Knight’s Report Focuses on the Order’s Charitable Initiatives in Service to God and Neighbor

Directors has voted to provide every child in Haiti who has lost an armor a leg [in the January earthquake] with the prosthetic device they need,”he said. “Each and every one of these [approximately 800] children willreceive a new start in life thanks to the Knights of Columbus.”Anderson further explained that the many works of charity and the

religious focus of the Order help Knights to live out their Christian vocation.While stressing that the Order does not subscribe to partisan politics,

the supreme knight also said that Knights are called to take public standson certain vital issues that transcend politics, such as abortion, the de-fense of marriage and protection of religious liberty. “Abraham Lincoln could not accept that the Supreme Court’s decision

in the Dred Scott case had settled the issue of slavery,” said Anderson. “Andwe cannot accept that Roe v. Wade has settled the issue of abortion.”He stressed that the Order would pursue its fight against abortion in

a fully Christian and charitable way. One method, he added, is the

K of C Ultrasound Initiative, by which local councils partner with theSupreme Council to purchase ultrasound machines for pro-life pregnancy centers across the United States. Discussing the business aspect of the Order, the supreme knight said

that the fraternal insurance program is more solid than ever, despite thepoor economy. The reason for the success, he maintained, is an unwavering commitment to ethical standards and a system of insuranceprovided by brother Knights for brother Knights and their families.“In times like these,” he concluded, “Knights of Columbus insurance

is a shield that your family, like mine, can rely upon.”After delivering his annual report, Anderson received a surprise gift

from the Board of Directors to mark his 10th anniversary as supremeknight: a specially commissioned triptych depicting Our Lady ofGuadalupe and six scenes illustrating her role in evangelization. Uponpresenting the gift, Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis A. Savoie calledAnderson a model Catholic and a model Knight of Columbus who hasled the Order to greater achievements during his decade of service.

REPORT, FROM PAGE ONE

AU G . 4 , 2 0 1 0 � KNIGHT L INE

A s the 128th Supreme Convention officially opened Aug. 3 with Mass at theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the principal celebrant, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl ofWashington, was joined by some 88 othermembers of the hierarchy from around theworld — including eight cardinals — and 140priests. More than 2,000 Knights and theirfamily members taking part in the convention,as well as hundreds of guests from the Washington area, were in attendance. An honor guard of 180 Fourth Degree

Knights led the entrance procession for theMass, which was celebrated in honor of OurLady of Guadalupe.In his homily, Archbishop Wuerl emphasized

that the Knights of Columbus must continueto be at the forefront of the new evangelization.“All around us there are those who need to

hear all over again — maybe for the first timewith true appreciation — that Jesus is Lord,that the risen Lord is with us today, and thathis Gospel is the path of truth and life everlasting,” he said.

“The threads of an encounter with the living Lord and the love that he brings into thisworld need to be woven once again into thefabric of our culture, of our society, our nationand our world. This task is entrusted to ustoday by Christ and his Church.”In a brief ceremony after Mass, Archbishop

Wuerl dedicated a plaque near the entrance of the basilica, commemorating the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome. The Orderprovided $1 million for the installation of the dome’s mosaic, which depicts scenesfrom the life of Christ and was dedicated in 2007.

Wednesday, Aug. 48 A.M. Concelebrated Mass Marriott Ballroom – Lobby Level9 A.M. – 5 P.M. Adoration Chapel Cleveland 2 – Mezzanine Level10:30 A.M. Business Session Marriott Ballroom – Lobby Level11:30 A.M. – 2 P.M. Ladies Luncheon hosted by D.C. State Council Thurgood Marshall – Mezzanine Level3 P.M. – 5 P.M. Awards Session (Open session, families invited) Marriott Ballroom – Lobby Level

Thursday, Aug. 58 A.M. Annual Memorial Mass Marriott Ballroom – Lobby Level10 A.M. – CLOSING Final Business Session Marriott Ballroom – Lobby Level

Convention Opens with Joyous Mass

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington serves as the principal celebrant of the 128th Supreme Convention’sopening Mass Aug. 3 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.