CNS STORY: Head of Knights of Columbus honored by city of Rome

ANDERSON-ROME Oct-28-2009 (220 words) xxxi

Head of Knights of Columbus honored by city of Rome

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

ROME (CNS) -- The head of the Knights of Columbus has been awarded Rome's "Lupa Capitolina" prize in recognition of the work and service the organization has carried out in the Italian capital for nearly a century.

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson was given the award by Rome's mayor, Gianni Alemanno, during a ceremony in the city hall Oct. 28.

In a written statement released Oct. 27, Anderson said he was honored to receive the award from the city of Rome.

"As both the 'Eternal City' and the center of the Catholic Church, Rome has a special place in the hearts of the Knights of Columbus, and we look forward to another 90 years of service in this great city," he said.

Since the 1920s, the Knights have run several sports centers in Rome that young people can use for free.

The Knights have also covered the costs for numerous renovations and repairs inside and outside St. Peter's Basilica, including restoring the basilica's facade.

The Knights pay for the satellite uplink for major international telecasts from the Vatican, such as the pope's Christmas Mass.

The Knights of Columbus is a 1.7 million-member fraternal organization. Last year members donated more than $150 million to charity and 68 million hours of their time to charitable service, according to the Knights' press release.

END

Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250