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Virginia bishops back pastor who broke with K of C council over honor for pro-abortion governor

March 12, 2015

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The Catholic bishops of Virginia have issued a statement of support for a pastor who cut off ties with a local council of the Knights of Columbus (KofC), after the group chose a politician who has repeatedly opposed Church moral teachings to be the grand marshall of a St. Patrick’s day parade.

Father Dan Beeman of Holy Trinity parish in Norfolk took action after local KofC leaders announced that Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe would be honored at the parade. “Governor McAuliffe stands contrary to the Catholic Church in not one but many of the most essential teachings of the Church in the political arena,” the pastor said, noting the governor’s strong support for legal abortion and same-sex marriage. Father Beeman said that the parish would not participate in or support the parade, and would sever ties with the local KofC council.

Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of Richmond and Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington have now issued a statement backing the pastor. “It is an erroneous and serious mistake in judgment for any Catholic organization to grant awards, honors and platforms to any public person who clearly acts in defiance to Catholic teaching,” the bishops warn. They voice their hope that “every council of Knights of Columbus within the Commonwealth of Virginia will carefully weigh future invitations and selections in light of the fullness of Church teaching.”

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Posted by: [email protected] - Mar. 15, 2015 6:13 PM ET USA
Wow! This is great that we have a pastor and bishops with some backbone on this issue. As a Church or organization that represents the Church, we have got to stop giving honors to a person who calls themselves a Catholic and then does all they can to bash the Church. The main council of Knights in Virginia should demand an open apology or pull their charter.
Posted by: lauriem5377 - Mar. 13, 2015 12:21 AM ET USA
God bless this pastor and his Bishops. I hope other K of C members across our nation) will pray that their brother Knights will rethink what they have done and rescind the invitation. It is never too late to do what is right.
Posted by: unum - Mar. 12, 2015 9:09 PM ET USA
Virginia's CINO (Catholic in name only) Governor is blatant in his support of the Obama agenda and his opposition to Church teaching. It inspired Virginia Catholics to see their bishops and a pastor stand firm for the Church's position on moral issues.
Posted by: lak321 - Mar. 12, 2015 8:06 PM ET USA
i"d like the email address to THANK those bishops!
Posted by: - Mar. 12, 2015 8:00 PM ET USA
Bravo to these Bishops! As a Knight I found it deeply disturbing that any Council would act as this one did. One of our solemn duties as Knights is to protect and defend the Catholic faith--the faith taught by the Magisterium, not the secular world's view of what our Church "should" be. These Bishops deserve the support and gratitude of every faithful Catholic, just as does Archbishop Cordileone of San Francisco.
Posted by: koinonia - Mar. 12, 2015 6:38 PM ET USA
This is good news here in Virginia. The prayers and sacrifices of many souls over many years have undoubtedly been heard by our merciful Lord. Fidelity is contingent upon prayer and sacrifice. However, the joy is tempered; the remarks might merit some reflection in Vatican City. “It is an erroneous and serious mistake in judgment for any Catholic organization to grant awards, honors and platforms to ANY (emphasis added) public person who clearly acts in defiance to Catholic teaching."