10/23/2002

Knights of Columbus Chief Executive Urges Catholics
and All Pro-lifers to Vote Their Convictions

New Haven — Make a difference by making pro-life the number one priority at the polls.

Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson is urging Catholics, and all those who are pro-life, to be guided by their pro-life convictions in the upcoming elections.

"Respect for and protection of all human life, including the most vulnerable among us, is not just one value among others," Anderson said. "It is the standard by which we measure all other values. For this reason, while many other issues must be considered in any election, the pro-life issue must take first place. This election, I urge all those who are pro-life to help get out the vote, go to the polls and vote your pro-life convictions."

With over 1.6 million members, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization.

Anderson continued: "There are many facets to the pro-life movement, many ways to help build the Culture of Life. Certainly one of the most important is working to elect leaders who will uphold the inherent dignity of all human life, especially the most vulnerable among us - from the innocent unborn child to the elderly and ill facing death. As Catholics and as pro-lifers, it is our responsibility to elect to office such individuals, regardless of party affiliation. With new threats to human dignity on the horizon, including human cloning and destructive embryo research, the need to be guided by our pro-life principles at the polls is all the more urgent. Catholics and the larger pro-life community can make a difference this Election Day by making pro-life our number one priority at the polls."

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic service organization, with more than 1.6 million members in nearly 12,000 local councils. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families and young people. In 2001, Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed a record $125 million to charitable causes and volunteered 58.9 million hours of service.