Asks Her Majesty the Queen not to give Royal Assent to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The Queen is the only person with the temporal power to prevent this Bill from becoming an Act.

N.B. No one is permitted to petition the Queen more than once on the same subject.

     Sign the petition now

The Re-erection of Dartford Council 108 took place at Mass in the Church of St Vincent’s, Temple Hill, Dartford, on Saturday 5th April 2008. The mass was celebrated by; Rev. Patrick Zammit, Parish Priest of St Vincent’s, assisted by Rev. Deacon Michael Hale, Chaplain to Council 108 Dartford.

Following Mass, the Council which has been dormant for 18 years, held its First Council Meeting, opened by Brother Henry Brand PGK. The Order wishes this new young Council every success and is delighted at the re-erection of this Council in Southwark Province 12.     (read more)

By: G Abrahams (KSC Council 579 Bletchley)

I must admit that at first glance; the organisation called the “Knight’s of St. Columba”, appeared a bit of a mystery to me.  My first encounter with it’s members was with them wearing their collars festooned with various medals and pins which to be honest made me feel a bit wary like it was some sort of Catholic Masons and it appeared that it was only reserved for; how shall we say, gentlemen of a certain age.

But upon some investigation and digging on the internet I found out that the organisation has a very proud and noble history and that without the Knight’s of St. Columba; which by the way; happens to be the largest Catholic lay order in the UK, we as Catholics would still be suffering from many anti-Catholic laws and policies.         (read more)

A new Council of the Knights of St Columba has been erected in Province 29 (Westminster North)

The new Council (New Southgate) No 967, was inaugurated on Sunday 25 November 2007, with the admissions ceremony taking place in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bowes Road, London, with the Deputy Supreme Knight, Supreme Directors and Provincial Officers in attendance.

     (read more)

Asks the Prime Minister to allow free votes on the embryology and fathers components of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill when considered by the House of Commons. Please consider writing personal letters to the Prime Minister and to the press on this matter.

     Sign the petition now

Visitors to the 'online' website of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool can now experience a virtual tour of the small St Columba's Chapel. The chapel dedicated to our Patron Saint has been sponsored by the Knights of Saint Columba since its opening in 1969. In addition to its everyday use St Columba's Chapel houses the Knights of St Columba Memorial Book recording the deaths of all former members of the Order    (view)

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bro. Anthony J Rouse, after a prolonged illness. Bro. Tony was a Past Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Columba, having served from 1978 to 1981. He was also a founder member of IACK and its Secretary General from inception in 1979 until 2005. His abiding love for and dedication to the Knights was exceptional and will always be remembered.

Brother Tony’s body will be received into St. Mary’s Church, Grimsby, England on Sunday 3rd February at 7.00 pm.  The Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s and will take place on Monday 4th February at 12.15 pm followed by internment at the local crematorium.      (read more)

A new Council of the Knights of St Columba has been erected in Province 29 (Westminster North)

The new Council (New Southgate) No 967, was inaugurated on Sunday 25 November 2007, with the admissions ceremony taking place in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bowes Road, London, with the Deputy Supreme Knight, Supreme Directors and Provincial Officers in attendance.

     (read more)

The Knights of Saint Columba have launched a campaign to encourage keeping the birth of Jesus at the very heart of Christmas. To this end the Order has produced over 300,000 ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’ stickers which can be placed on envelopes containing Christmas cards and correspondence over the Christmas season. The Order also seeks to encourage people to purchase cards, which celebrate the birth of the Holy Child in some way. The cost of the stickers is £3.50p per 1000 plus p&p and can be obtained from our Head Office in Glasgow.

The Director for Action and Youth and Deputy Supreme Knight, Jonjo McDonagh hopes that the Order and its members encourage this initiative, he said: “In these increasingly secular times the true meaning of Christmas is in danger of being marginalised as a Christian festival. Society is increasingly worshipping at the altar of commercialism and the beliefs of committed Christians are at best dismissed and at worst attacked as in some way discriminating against people of other faiths and none. This is patent nonsense and the Order is determined to play its part in keeping the birth of Our lord, Jesus Christ, central to the Christian celebration. It is no less than our duty to do so and we have the right to attempt it.” 

The Youth Seminar for 2008 is scheduled to be held at Hinsley Hall in Leeds. The centre is the Pastoral Centre for the Diocese of Leeds and is a wonderful facility that will enhance the program the Order intends to put before our young people. Care and consideration in the community; life issues; faith and much, much more.  The seminar will run from July 7 until July 10 and the cost is £200 per participant. The program will be ready by early in the new year and those taking part will be expected to prepare a short report on their experiences and what relevance the issues brought before them will be in their lives. The centre has a web site and can be accessed at www.hinsley-hall.co.uk. Places are limited and if Provinces or Councils wish to guarantee a place(s) they should send a deposit of £20 to Head Office as soon as possible. Places will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

John Doran has, once again, been elected as Supreme Knight of the Knights of St Columba, by the delegates of Supreme Council 2007. He is the 27th supreme knight since the organisation's founding in 1919. Supreme Knight is the title of the chief officer of the 6000 member Catholic fraternal organisation.

John, a member of Council 74 (Whitehaven) in Province 6, joined the Board of Directors ten years ago. A native of Cleator, in Cumbria, he previously served the Order as Deputy Supreme Knight, Supreme Action Convenor and in various offices at Local and Provincial level.

In addition, Supreme Council delegates elected four supreme officers and one new member to the board of directors:

• Jonjo McDonagh, a member of Council 474 (Viewpark) in Province 16, was elected as supreme director for action and also elected deputy supreme knight.
• Bertie M Grogan, a member of Council 963 (Yeading) in Province 30, was elected as supreme director for membership and development.
• William Gallagher, was re-elected as supreme chancellor. He is a member of Council 128 (Wandsworth) in Province 12.
• Eddie Alcock was appointed as supreme treasurer. He is a member of Council 302 (Chelmsford) in Province 10.
• Harry Welsh, a member of Council 299 (Rhyll) in Province 37, was re-elected to the board of directors and appointed as recording secretary.
• Hugh Carroll, was elected to the board of directors. He is a member of Council 564 (Darlaston) in Province 18.
• Peter McGarry, a member of Council 350 (Port Glasgow) in Province 28, remains on the board of directors

• David O'Neil, a member of Council 33 (Newcastle upon Tyne) in Province 4, remains on the board of directors

In his address to Supreme Council, Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham, Ecclesiastical Advisor and Supreme Chaplain to the Order of The Knights of St Columba, told the Knights that they can look forward to the future with confidence.          read more

Last year the Knights of St Columba launched a new National Youth competition aimed specifically at young people of secondary school age, a prayer competition. This years theme is FAITH as it was felt that this would be an appropriate theme at a time when millions in our nation have so little faith in God.      read more

The Knights of St Columba in Province 4 have launched a new Schools Fraternal Cross as part of a programme to promote Catholic Education. A number of comprehensive schools in the Diocese will be participating.      read more

The Knights in Province 27 raised £7000 in 15 months for a new Altar in St John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich, with all the hard work being done by Bros Phillip Rosendale PPGK and Chris Brooks Provincial Treasurer. The new Altar is being consecrated on Saturday 4^th August 2007 at 12:00 noon.      read more

The Order has signed up to an initiative begun by the Hierarchy of England and Wales called 'LiveSimply'. This takes its inspiration from the Encyclycal written by Pope Paul VI entitled Populorum Progressio  or 'On the Development of Peoples'.

The Director for Action and Youth hopes that Brothers, Councils and Provinces in England and Wales will follow the link to the LiveSimply web site and perhaps consider signing up to it. In an increasingly complex and wasteful world this is an appeal to try and create a less stressful, demanding and complicated way of life, while at the same time puting less strain upon the resources which we as individuals and the world at large require to develop. Simplicity or complexity? Which is the easier state  to live with?        read more

ALL MEMBERS OF THE ORDER

I have just received an e-mail from Province 30, Westminster Western, which just shows what can be done with  commitment, dedication and communication from a relatively new Bro, who joined in 1999 and was willing to take up Office and to serve the Order in a positive and dedicated way.

There is far too much Doom and Gloom from certain quarters of the Order.  I and the Board are determined to continue to be positive and to be pro-active in all things, but above all in increasing the membership, so we can be more effective working for Christ's Kingdom.

This article proves what can be done, and we should all take heart and follow Bro. Rosario Fichardo's example.       read more

Brother Francis Redmond KSG, has been awarded the “Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great”

The presentation of the award will be by Bishop Philip Pargeter, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham assisted by Rev. Thomas Wood Parish Priest and Provincial Chaplain Prov.2 Liverpool and will take place during Mass at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church, Seaforth, Liverpool 21 on Saturday18th August 2007 at 14.00

Bro. Frank has extended an open invitation to any Brother and their families who wish to attend the Mass and Presentation. If you are able and wish to come please notify Kathleen Welsh at Head Office. Letters and Cards of best wishes to be sent to 12, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 6TG

The Samaritans have acknowledged the first donation of £17.500, generated by members of the Knights of St Columba and their friends, via an article on page 3 of their January Newsletter. Additional monies raised by the Knights of St. Columba will go towards the training of volunteers and will hopefully be donated at this year's Supreme Council.      read more

A new National Action Project was announced at Supreme Council 2005. The Knights of St. Columba have launched a life-saving partnership with Samaritans through a three-year fundraising scheme. 

The ‘Unsung Heroes’ campaign will run from October 2005 to October 2008 with the Knights of St. Columba raising funds for Samaritans - which has 183 branches nation wide. 

The emotional support charity Samaritans is staffed by 17,600 volunteers - and money raised by the Knights of St. Columba will go towards training of volunteers which costs Samaritans £1 million every year.  read more

The previous National Action Project 'Partners in Health', which ran in partnership with CAFOD and SCIAF and raised funds for health projects in Third World Countries, is now finished. The scheme, which ran for three years, had an emphasis on providing primary health care, using simple low-cost methods. The projects included providing clean water, child health care, education, drugs and projects to combat communicable diseases.

The final figures for 'Partners in Health' Action Project show that total donations of £140,000 were generated by members of the Knights of St Columba. Additional monies raised were donated to CAFOD and SCIAF at this year's Supreme Council.