In late 2018, two senators attacked a juridical nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus. The attack was actually more a stalking horse to lambast the nominee for holding Catholic beliefs. As O'Boyle Council is the council for Capitol Hill (as well as Navy Yard and Waterfront neighborhoods), we quickly responded by writing an open letter (reprinted below at the bottom of the page as well) inviting both senators to see what we Knights of Columbus are really about and to join us doing charity for the poor and others in need. Sadly the senators decided not to respond back to us. However, the letter was quickly picked up by the press including the National Catholic Register, American Thinker, the Washington Free Beacon, Townhall, Christian Post, Business and Politics Review, and The Blaze. Additonally, Financial Secretary Patrick Abbott voiced our defense of religious liberty on Fox and Friends Sunday.
Our Open Letter
Dear Senator Harris, Senator Hirono, and respective staffs
Greetings from your local, Capitol Hill-area Knights of Columbus Council, Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle Council 11302! We recently read about statements which expressed the fear that the Knights of Columbus held many extreme beliefs. It is our great pleasure to assure you that this fear is not grounded in any truth. The Knights of Columbus in general, and O’Boyle Council in particular are dedicated to the three fundamental principles of charity, unity, and fraternity.
In the past few months O’Boyle Council has worked with local parishes including St Peter’s (House-side Catholic church) and St Joseph’s (Senate-side Catholic church) to raise funds and give away over $4,000 worth of coats to neighborhood children, collect soda and beer can tabs to donate to the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute which helps the developmentally disabled, and collect diapers and other supplies for new mothers in need. Over the course of the past year we donated an ultrasound machine to a clinic, picked up trash around Nationals Park, and donated supplies to a local school. We do all this as well as social gatherings and spiritual events. We hope this list of activities help to assure you that we are simply a group aiming to do God’s work while building friendships.
We wish to formally invite you all to join us for any social or charitable event. In fact, this February we are doing the Polar Plunge to raise funds for DC Special Olympics. You and anyone you know are more than welcome to join us either jumping in the cold water or sponsoring our team. Our team’s page can be viewed at https://give.specialolympicsdc.org/kofc. Additionally, if any Catholic men on your staff are interested in joining O’Boyle Council for charitable and social events they can find more information on our website at https://oboyle.dcknights.org/ and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KofC11302/. If you have any further questions or concerns please reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thank you for this opportunity to write to you. We pray that you have a wonderful Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
-Cardinal Patrick O’Boyle Council 11302 of the Knights of Columbus
Capitol Hill, Southwest Waterfront, and Navy Yard of Washington, DC
