The Knights of Columbus have provoked unease among members by making a dramatic change to their uniform.
The traditional regalia of the fourth-degree Knights, worn by about a fifth of members, is being replaced. Instead of a tuxedo and black bow tie, members will wear a blue blazer, tie and beret, all with the fourth-degree emblem on them, along with white shirt and dark grey trousers.
The traditional cape, gloves and chapeau, worn by those fourth-degree members who choose to join the colour corps or honour guards, are also being phased out – although the ceremonial sword is staying in use.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson told the fraternal organisation’s Supreme Convention in St Louis last week: “The board of directors has decided that the time is right for a modernisation of the fourth-degree uniform. On a limited basis, assemblies may choose to continue using the traditional cape and chapeau for colour corps at public events and honour guards in liturgical processions.
However, the preferred dress for the fourth degree, including colour corps and honour guards, is the new uniform of jacket and beret.”
Many members are not thrilled. Joseph Meyer, from Mesa, Arizona, said the new uniforms lose a sense of the pageantry associated with the Knights’ fourth-degree level.
“I have been a fourth-degree Knight since 1978 and we have always had this regalia,” said Meyer. “We all looked great. These [new] outfits look bad.” Paul Lee, from Iowa, said reaction was “mixed”. ‘‘People don’t feel they have answers for the question of why the need for the change. They want something beyond a more modern look.”
Group to raise £1.5m to help rebuild Christian town in Iraq
The Knights of Columbus have promised to raise $2 million (£1.5 million) to help Iraqi families displaced by ISIS return to their home town on the Nineveh Plain.
ISIS forces captured the town of Karamdes, also known as Karemlash, in 2014. The town was liberated two years later.
Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights, said at the organisation’s Supreme Convention last week: “The terrorists desecrated churches and graves and looted and destroyed homes. Now we will ensure that hundreds of Christian families driven from their homes can return to these two locations and help to ensure a pluralistic future for Iraq.”
The Knights are following the example of the Hungarian government, whose new spending bill allowed for £1.5 million to be sent to the Archdiocese of Erbil in Iraq, assisting with the rebuilding of a Christian community near Mosul, Iraq. This example served as proof to the Knights of the impact of returning families to their homes. The cost of resettling one family is around $2,000 (£1,500).
“These Christian communities are a priceless treasure for the Church,” Anderson said. “They have every right to live.”
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