Formation and Development

The International Alliance of Catholic Knights was founded in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 12^th 1979 at a meeting of the leaders of kindred Orders of Catholic Knights, convened on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the Knights of Saint Columba. The Orders represented were the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Saint Columbanus, Knights of the Southern Cross Australia, Knights of the Southern Cross New Zealand and the Knights of Saint Columba.

This meeting resolved that these Fraternal Orders would found an International Alliance for the purpose of working together for the mutual advantage of the individual Member Orders and the extension of Catholic Knighthood throughout the world. It was agreed the Supreme Knight or National President of each Member Order would form an International Council which would meet annually and be responsible for the organisation and development of the new Alliance. The Leaders present at this historic gathering are recognised as the Founders of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights and they were:-

        Supreme Knight, Tony Rouse, Knights of Saint Columba, President.

        Supreme Knight, Virgil C. Dechant, Knights of Columbus,

        Supreme Knight, James J. Eccles, Knights of Saint Columbanus,

        National President, Peter Taylor, Knights of the Southern Cross Australia,

        Supreme Knight, Alan M. Diesel, Knights of Da Gama,

        Supreme Knight, Dr. Kevin Greene, Knights of the Southern Cross New Zealand

Since its foundation nine other Orders of Catholic Knights have been admitted to the Alliance:-

        1983 The Knights of Marshall, Ghana

        1986 The Knights of Saint Mulumba, Nigeria

        1987 The Knights of Peter Claver, United States of America

        1992 The Knights of Saint Virgil, Austria

        1992 The Fraternal Order of Saints Peter and Paul, The Gambia

        1997 The Knights of Saint Gabriel, the International Diplomatic Service

        1998 The Knights of Saint Thomas the Apostle,  Pakistan

        2000 Ordre des Chevaliers de Marie  Reine de la Paix, Mauritius

        2001 The Knights of Saint Thomas More, Belgium.

The International Council is a forum in which the leaders of Member Orders discuss matters of common concern and agree the future development of the Alliance. Since the Foundation meeting the Council has met at the following venues, under these International Presidents:-

        1980 East London South Africa, President Alan Diesel

        1981 Wellington New Zealand, President Patrick Keogh

        1982 Hartford United States, President Virgil C. Dechant

        1983 Dublin Ireland, President Vincent Gallagher

        1984 Melbourne Australia, President Robert Ward

        1985 Glasgow Scotland, President Walter Downey

        1986 Sekondi Ghana, President George Habib

        1987 New Haven  United States, President Virgil C. Dechant

        1988 Berg An Daal  South Africa, President Raymond Allam

        1989 Dublin Ireland and the Vatican , President Hugh McLaughlin

        1990 Auckland New Zealand, President Kinney Curran

        1991 Rome Italy, President Dr. George Akabogu

        1993 New Orleans United States, President Paul Condoll

        1995 Morecambe England, Chairman W. Roe, Ireland

        1997 Sekondi Ghana, President Owusu Prempeh

        1998 The Vatican, President Dr. Edmund Kwaw

        1999 New Haven United States, President Dr. Edmund Kwaw

        2001 Melbourne Australia, President Eamonn Fleming

        2003 St Martin bei Lofer Salzbergerland Austria, President Geoffrey Renner

       2005 Kruger Park, South Africa, President Niall Kennedy

       2007 Abuja, Nigeria, President Frank Wightman

By a Decree dated 14th. of April 1992.the International Alliance of Catholic Knights was given official recognition by the Vatican as an International Catholic Association of the Faithful, in  accordance with codes 298 – 311 and 321 – 329 of the Code of Canon Law.

The development and work of the member Orders of Catholic Knights is fulfillment of the vision of the Rev Father Michael J McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. Knights throughout the world give thanks to Almighty God for this holy and virtuous priest, especially on 14th August each year, the anniversary of his death in 1890, and we pray for his canonization.

 

Mission Statement

 

We believe that the privilege of Knighthood confers upon a Catholic man an extra responsibility in the Apostolate of Christ’s Church. We record our determination as individual Orders within the International Alliance to co­operate in achieving the following aims:

 

To bring the message of Christ to all people.

 

To give loyalty and support in every way possible to our Holy Father The Pope and all Bishops, Priests and Religious throughout the world.

 

To use our individual and joint influence to eliminate injustice from society.

 

To co-operate with other Catholic international organisations and the Pontifical Council for the Laity to advance the Christian tray of life.

 

To extend the vision of Rev Father Michael McGivney by assisting each Member Order to progress and grow and by promoting the establishment of new Orders of Catholic Knights.

 

To strengthen out individual and distinct Member Orders by corporate action and to strive to deepen the faith of members of the Alliance and all Catholics in general by encouraging their active and generous participation in the Life and Mission of the Church

 

To pursue these aims by uniting all our brothers throughout the world in prayer.