The NCBC Congratulates Supreme Knight–Elect Patrick E. Kelly of the Knights of Columbus
Patrick E. Kelly, Esq.
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Philadelphia (February 8, 2021)—The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) extends its heartiest congratulations to Patrick E. Kelly, Esq., on his election as the 14th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization.
Patrick Kelly has served on the board of the NCBC since 2013 and has shown a deep commitment to the Center’s mission to uphold the dignity of the human person in health care and biomedical research. He is chairman of the board of directors of the March for Life and led the Ultrasound Initiative of the Knights of Columbus, helping expectant mothers with crisis pregnancies to choose life for their preborn children. He earned a degree in law from Marquette University and served his country for twenty-four years as a JAG lawyer in the US Navy. Kelly championed religious freedom in this country and abroad as a senior advisor to the US State Department, working closely with the Holy See on this issue. He earned a master’s degree from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family at the Catholic University of America, where outgoing Supreme Knight Carl Anderson served as academic dean and NCBC President Emeritus John Haas served on its first faculty.
“I am so pleased the Knights of Columbus have chosen Patrick Kelly as the next supreme knight. He is the right person to continue the Knights’ legacy as the foremost promoter and defender of the Church and the dignity of the human person,” said Joseph Meaney, NCBC president.
The National Catholic Bioethics Center also is profoundly grateful to outgoing Supreme Knight Carl Anderson for his indefatigable support during his tenure of more than twenty years. Since 1980 the Knights of Columbus have funded the NCBC Bishops’ Workshops on bioethics. Because of the generosity of the Knights, all the bishops of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean are invited to Dallas for biannual workshops on ethical issues arising in medicine and the life sciences. Over the years, then-Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and other notables were able to address the bishops at these workshops.
Carl Anderson is best known for his pro-life and family commitment and leadership. He displayed extraordinary skill and effectiveness in overseeing the immense charitable work of the Knights as well as their life insurance company and investment services. He is a tireless defender of religious liberty and the rights of Catholics in the public square.
The NCBC pledges its prayers and full support to Supreme Knight–Elect Kelly as he prepares to assume the responsibility of leading the Knights of Columbus in what are certain to be challenging and tumultuous times. We are certain that Patrick Kelly will be inspired in his new role by Blessed Rev. Michael McGivney, the founder the Knights of Columbus, who was just beatified by the Church in 2020.
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