April 3, 2009
Knights of Columbus color guard withdrawn
The colorful regalia of the Knights of Columbus, similar to what is seen in this file photo from a 2008 dedication ceremony in Washington, will be absent from the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet this year. Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
The decision to have Michael Steele as the featured speaker at the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet has led to a ceremonial casualty. The Knights of Columbus, customarily seen in full regalia at the banquet, will not be there this year, as a result of a decision to be in solidarity with Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger.
There are two things you can count on about the Knights of Columbus, said Jerry Brown of Newburgh. “The Knights are very, very serious about the right to life.” And the second principle, “We are in solidarity with our bishop and priests.”
Brown wears two hats. He is Faithful Navigator of the Msgr. Sprigler Fourth Degree Assembly 253 and he is District Deputy for eight Third Degree Councils in southern Indiana.
The banquet on April 16 would have been the fifth year that the Fourth Degree Knights served as the color guard, presenting the American flag and the papal flag at the beginning of the program. This year, Brown said, they will not participate “because we want to stand as a fraternal Catholic organization.”
Members of the Third Degree Council 8746 customarily have served as ushers at the banquet. This year, though, Brown is recommending that they not be there to usher. He has also contacted the councils in his district “and I am instructing them that this is where the rubber hits the road and we need to be in solidarity with our bishops and priests, and I asked them not to attend the banquet, and if they do, please don’t wave the Knights of Columbus flag because we want to stand as a fraternal Catholic organization and just not attend this.”
The color guard has five members, and 45 Knights would have served as ushers.
Brown informed Mary Ellen Van Dyke, executive director of VCRTL, on March 30. Brown had reached his decision after reading various accounts and after doing research on Steele on the Internet.
Following the widely-distributed GQ interview, Steele issued a statement that he is pro-life. “I know that there’s a retraction printed right now,” Brown said, “but it’s too little too late as far as I’m concerned.”
Brown said a commentary by James F. Collins, director of Catholic Charities “hit me pretty strong.” Collins quoted the GQ interview in his commentary.
“When I read the bishop’s accounting of why he said what he said, and why he feels like he does, I thought it was very fairly stated and very clearly stated.”
(Collins’ commentary and the bishop’s forum were published March 27 in the Message.)
In his forum this week, Bishop Gettelfinger reiterates his intent to stay away from the banquet, but promises to continue his financial support.
“Here is my plea to all readers,” Bishop Gettelfinger wrote. “Support the Vander-burgh County Right to Life Banquet. Even if you, as I, choose not to attend, please send your contribution to help support the educational efforts, services and programs. I intend to do so and I will increase my gift from last year.”
Brown continues his support for VCRTL. “After I made my decision, they [VCRTL] wanted to return my money, our money that we paid for [our four] tables.” Brown said he declined to have the money returned. “This is not why we are doing this. You need that money, and we will continue to support you.”
Brown said he also told Van Dyke that the Knights of Columbus are looking forward to being back in 2010, to serve as the color guard and as ushers.
In other developments . . .
- Father Joseph Ziliak, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh, said he will not attend the banquet this year, but will offer a prayer at a rally scheduled on that same night by Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment.\
- In a telephone interview March 31, Van Dyke said that no changes had been made in regard to Steele’s appearance. She also said she was in the process of writing a letter to Bishop Gettelfinger in response to his letter. The bishop had explained his reasons for not attending because of Steele, and requested of her, “Please advise.”
Both the bishop’s letter to Van Dyke and Steele’s statement following the GQ interview are published in the Message this week, on page 7 with the current edition of the Bishop’s Forum.