Catholic Fire

(Romereports.com) Pope Francis issued a message to the Knights of Columbus in light of their 131th Supreme Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The letter is directed to Carl A. Anderson, who serves as the Supreme Knight. In it, the Pope expressed his appreciation for the “ideals of faith and fraternity embodied by the Order, its commitment to the Church’s mission, and the many works of charity and evangelical witness.” Pope Francis also highlighted the role the Knights of Columbus play in helping Catholics as “protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.” He urged each Knight to “bear witness to the authentic nature of marriage and the family, the sanctity and inviolable dignity of human life, and the beauty and truth of human sexuality.” He also expressed his gratitude for the clear example of Faith the Knights of Columbus show each day.

Via Christian Newswire: Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of a Civilization of Love debuted at number six on the August 14, 2009 release of the New York Times best-sellers list. The book has also made debut appearances on the Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly best-sellers lists. Written by Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson, and Guadalupe expert, Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, the book traces her history as a religious and cultural symbol from the sixteenth century to the present, exploring the Virgin's message of love as an encouragement in the past and a guide in our present and future. Our Lady of Guadalupe was featured front & center at The Knights of Columbus' First International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe held on August 6-8, 2009, following the organization's 127th annual convention in Phoenix. Said to be the largest Catholic celebration of the year in that area, the festival drew an enthusiastic crowd of 20,000 all eager to hear...

CNA reports: The former director of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives for the governor of Ohio was arrested Wednesday for his involvement in an online prostitution ring. Eric McFadden, who has also formerly served as the president of the organization Catholics for Faithful Citizenship and spokesperson for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good , will face seven prostitution-related charges tomorrow in court. Eric McFadden , 46, the former head of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives for Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, was arrested this morning and faces two counts of promoting prostitution, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a nude minor and one count of compelling prostitution, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien told the Springfield News-Sun.....According to NBC 4 in Columbus, Ohio, detectives suspect McFadden was involved in a “hooker-review” site that led to the creation of a Brewery District brothe...

Is the Conscience Respected? Carl Anderson, Vice President, John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus, shares his views in this Zenit article.