CUA Trustee Places Anti-Biden Ads

The Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and member of the University’s Board of Trustees, Carl A. Anderson, published an open letter to vice-presidential candidate Senator Joseph Biden in USA Today, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Times and the Delaware New Journal on Sept. 19.

In his letter, Anderson attacked Biden’s support for abortion rights and Biden’s belief that the Catholic Church has not been consistent in its teachings on abortion.

“I’m prepared as a matter of faith to accept that life begins at the moment of conception,” said Biden on NBC’s Meet the Press on September 7. “But that is my judgment. For me to impose that judgment on everyone else who is equally and maybe even more devout that I am seems to me is inappropriate in a pluralistic society.”

In his letter, Anderson said, “Statements that suggest that our Church has anything less than a consistent teaching on abortion are not merely incorrect; they may lead Catholic women facing crisis pregnancies to misunderstand the moral gravity of an abortion decision.”

Later in the letter, Anderson likens the denial of an unborn child’s right to life to the denial of civil rights to African Americans before the Civil War. Anderson then references Abraham Lincoln, “He confronted an America in which black Americans were not considered “persons” under the law, and were thus not entitled to fundamental Constitutional rights. Today, children of all races who are fully viable and only minutes from being born are also denied recognition as “persons” because of the Roe v. Wade regime that you so strongly support.”

This statement faced some criticism from the Catholic Democrats, a state-based network of Catholics who advocate for the Democratic Party. The Catholic Democrats told the National Catholic Reporter that Anderson, “grossly mischaracterized Sen. Biden as an advocate of abortion while carelessly ignoring the racial overtones of invoking slavery in attacking the running mate of history’s first black presidential nominee.”

Anderson acknowledges the letter was written on behalf of the 1.28 million members of the Knights of Columbus and their families.  However, some Knights of Columbus members have publicly stated their opposition to the letter including Thomas P. O’Neill III, the former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. “As a member of the Knights of Columbus, I want to make it clear that Carl Anderson does not speak for me.”

Anderson, a former Reagan administrator gave the commencement address last May. Anderson along with his wife Dorian Anderson stressed service and the importance of family.

McGivney Hall Knighted As Home of Pontifical Institute

McGivney Hall, located adjacent to Mullen Library, was dedicated and blessed in a formal ceremony Monday afternoon. The Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family will be housed inside McGivney.

Formerly known as Keane Hall, McGivney Hall was renamed in honor of Rev. Michael J. McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. After 12 years of neglect, the University was able to renovate the building with a $8 million donation from the Knights of Columbus.

“Today is a dream come true,“ said Rev. David M. O‘Connell, University president. “From the very beginning, the University [has grown] and prospered through its association with the Knights of Columbus.“

O‘Connell,  Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington and Chancellor of the University, Bishop William Lori, chairman of the University‘s Board of Trustees and  representatives from the Knights participated in the event. The program included blessing the building, cutting ceremonial ribbon and speaking to those who gathered to take part in the event.

“Special gratitude is due to all those of the Catholic University of America whose vision both formed and enabled this project to move forward,” said Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight. “Today we take great pride in the dedication of this beautiful building on this historic campus.”

With the help of the Knights, the University was able to replace the 50 year old building‘s insulation, electrical and mechanical systems. The newly renovated building includes four classrooms, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute and Keane auditorium, which retained its name to honor the University‘s first rector, Archbishop John Joseph Keane.

The Pontifical John Paul II Institute, a graduate school of theology that is affiliated with the University and the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, was previously located across Michigan Avenue. It offers pontifical degrees with a specialization in marriage and family studies.

“Our University community is so joyful and so proud to share this beautiful space with the Institute, its faculty, staff, students and with the Knights of Columbus,” said Victor Nakas, vice president for Public Affairs, who spoke at the ceremony.

A statue of McGivney was also erected outside the building in remembrance of the Knights’ efforts to support the Church, marriage, family and vocations.

Lori, based in Bridgeport, Conn., delivered the closing remarks for the ceremony. He asked those attending to continue to pray for the canonization of McGivney.

“McGivney Hall is just one more reminder of the example, the prayers and the goodness of this saintly American priest Michael J. McGivney; someone who exerts an influence on this campus, with an abundance of priestly vocations,“ he said.

The Knights have a strong presence at the University, with more than 50 students and active members on-campus. Senior Rob Coons was present at the ceremony in full uniform including their trademark hat or chapeau.

“We have great leadership in our officers and specifically in our Chaplain, Father Frank Donio,“ said Coons. “We are devoted to our country, church and school, and are especially devoted to the rights of the unborn.  We would also like to thank CUA for honoring our Order by naming the hall after our founder, the venerable Father McGivney.“