Knights: 'Strong arm of Church'

Warren Delp has a simple answer when you ask him what the Knights of Columbus are: "We are the strong arm of the Church."

A member of St. John the Baptist parish in Valatie, he is chairman of the Capital Conference Officers of the K of C in the Albany Diocese.

"A man doesn't just decide to become a Knight," he said. "He is invited to join the group, usually by another Knight in his parish or his council. He has been invited because he probably has the qualities of a Knight."

Long association

Mr. Delp was asked to join the Knights more than 30 years ago, when he and his family lived in Virginia. Although he had a vague idea about what the Knights did and who they were, he didn't really comprehend the extent of their work.

"First and foremost, a Knight of Columbus serves as a defender of the Catholic faith," he explained.

The group was founded in Connecticut in 1882 by Rev. Michael McGivney. Many Catholic men at the time were poor immigrants who were often discriminated against because of their religion.

"I think Father McGivney had the idea that if the men had something in common with each other, such as membership in a club of their own, they could develop friendships, and find strength and support in a brotherhood that would last a lifetime," Mr. Delp explained.

Efforts

Mr. Delp, a former FBI agent, said that the Knights are not only defenders of the faith but also defenders of civil, human and religious rights for all people. In addition, they raise money for causes that help those in need.

"The men in our council all work together," he added. "That might be helping raise money for their parish, helping an individual or family, or contributing service to a community effort."

Mr. Delp said the Knights were "right now involved at the state level in lobbying for Catholic 'hot-button' issues before the State Legislature," such as opposing embryonic stem-cell research and supporting aid to Catholic schools.

Another project that local Knights are involved in is raising $20,000 to repair the chapel at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs at Auriesville. Mr. Delp also noted that the Knights promote awareness of the need for and importance of priestly vocations.

Fraternity

Mr. Delp called the Knights of Columbus "a fraternity, and being a Knight is an opportunity to socialize with other Catholic men, make friends and establish friendships. We're involved in many different kinds of activities in our parishes and in the larger community. We remain a vibrant group, and we welcome new members.

"Recruiting is very important. I believe we should promote ourselves a little more than we do, but our numbers are still strong."

(Warren Delp is a master gardener who teaches classes on gardening and mans a "question line" for the Cornell University Cooperative Extension in Columbia County. To learn more about the Knights of Columbus, visit www.kofc.org, or contact a local conference.)

(3/29/07) [[In-content Ad]]