POLICE are probing claims that £100,000 was stolen from the Knights of St Columba.The five-month fraud investigation centres on the HQ of the Catholic charitable organisation in Glasgow.
The Catholic men-only order are the largest of their kind in the UK with around 4000 members.
The police probe was launched by finance chief Anthony Doherty.
The head of the KSC is Ron Lynch, who holds the position of Supreme Knight.
When the KSC board are due to meet in Preston next month the police probe is likely to be on the agenda.
An insider said: “The whole thing has been kept very quiet. We are all very much in the dark.
None of the members really know what has happened and it has all come as a shock.”
Founded in Glasgow in 1919, the KSC are named in honour of Saint Columba, a Christian missionary from Ireland.
Membership is limited to practising Catholic men aged 16 or older.
Admission ceremonies usually take place in a Catholic church during Mass.
The order are noted for their charitable work and has raised money for projects such as assisting health in the developing world and earthquake relief, as well as projects in Britain.
The KSC have always denied being a secret society.
Police said: “Inquiries are continuing into a report of the misuse of money from the Knights of St Columba.”
The Knights of St Columba said the organisation did not want to comment.
Membership is limited to practising Catholic men aged 16 or older.
Admission ceremonies usually take place in a Catholic church during Mass.
The order are noted for their charitable work and has raised money for projects such as assisting health in the developing world and earthquake relief, as well as projects in Britain.
The KSC have always denied being a secret society.
Police said: “Inquiries are continuing into a report of the misuse of money from the Knights of St Columba.”
The Knights of St Columba said the organisation did not want to comment.