The Knights of Columbus announced Aug. 2 that it will buy the John
Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., to create a shrine and
museum honoring the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II.
“I take
great pride in reporting,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said at the
group's conference in Denver, that “the Knights of Columbus will be at
the forefront of preserving his legacy for generations to come.”
Anderson
said within the next year, the knights will work closely with Cardinal
Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington and Archbishop Allen
Vigneron of Detroit to establish a national center, permanent museum and
Shrine of Blessed John Paul II.
The Supreme Knight made his
remarks at the Knights of Columbus' 129th annual convention, this year
held in downtown Denver from Aug. 2-4.
Cardinal Wuerl praised the
development, saying the shrine will provide “a focal point for increased
devotion to Blessed John Paul II and an ongoing recognition of his
legacy.”
Archbishop Vigneron expressed gratitude to the knights
for “stepping forward to make this transaction a reality” and applauded
their efforts to “strengthen the vision of the Center and continue the
intended purpose for the building and land.”
The John Paul II
center – which was the initiative of now-retired Archbishop of Detroit
Cardinal Adam Maida – has been beset by numerous financial difficulties
over the years and borrowed heavily from the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Recently,
the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist based in Ann
Arbor, Michigan made a bid for the center but withdrew in March due to
lack of funding.
Anderson told Knights of Columbus members during
their business session at the convention Tuesday that the organization
plans for the center to “be a place where English, Spanish and
French-speaking pilgrims from throughout North America will encounter
the mission and legacy of one of history's greatest popes.”
“It
will also be a place where our children and grandchildren will learn
about their great heritage as Catholics,” he added.
“True to Pope John
Paul II’s vision, and using the story of his life as an inspiration,
this Shrine will be an opportunity to evangelize and spread the good
news of the Gospel through a New Evangelization.”
He noted that
purchasing the site was fitting, given the Knights of Columbus'
longstanding support for nearby institutions in D.C. such as the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the
Catholic University of America, and the U.S. bishops' conference.
Anderson
also said the endeavor has received strong support from the Vatican.
He
quoted a letter from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone, who offered his “heartfelt” praise for the initiative and
expressed his appreciation to the order for helping “cultivate devotion”
to the late Pontiff.
“I am deeply gratified that your Order has
wished to carry forward that vision as part of your commitment to the
new evangelization and to the strengthening of the Church's witness to
Christ at every level of American society,” Cardinal Bertone told
Anderson.
The Supreme Knight reflected on the legacy of Blessed
John Paul II, saying that because of his tireless evangelization
efforts, “an entire generation of Catholics has become known as the John
Paul II Generation.”
We are “honored to continue to spread his
profound and powerful message of hope for our country, our continent and
our world,” he added.