Site will include shrine as well as exhibits on the life
and legacy of Blessed John Paul II and on the Catholic heritage of North
America.
Pope
John Paul II waves as he leaves the Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., on his 1979 trip to the United
States
The
Knights of Columbus announced today that it will establish a shrine to
Blessed John Paul II in Washington, D.C. The announcement was made during
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson’s annual report at the Knights’ 129th
International Convention being held in Denver.
In addition to the shrine itself, the preliminary plans for the site
include exhibits on the life and legacy of Blessed John Paul II, and an
exhibit on the Catholic heritage of North America. The shrine and related
exhibits will be located at the site of the present John Paul II Cultural
Center in Northeast Washington. The building and land at 3900 Harewood Road – which the Knights of Columbus is
purchasing for this purpose – are currently owned by the Pope John Paul II
Foundation.
“True to Pope John Paul II’s vision, and using the story of his life as an
inspiration, the Shrine will be an opportunity to evangelize and spread the
Good News of the Gospel through a New Evangelization,” said Supreme Knight
Carl Anderson. “Because of his tireless evangelization efforts, an entire
generation of Catholics has become known as the ‘John Paul Generation,’ and
certainly we are honored to continue to spread his profound and powerful
message of hope for our country, our continent and our world.”
In expressing his support for the initiative, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington declared that the site will be an
official “archdiocesan shrine,” noting:
“The beatification of Pope John Paul II has focused increased attention on
the great gift that he is for the Church. Evident devotion to him prompted
the decision to designate the facility being acquired by the Knights of
Columbus as an archdiocesan shrine. This shrine will provide a focal point
for increased devotion to Blessed John Paul II and an ongoing recognition of his legacy.” Cardinal Wuerl is also chairman of the Foundation’s board of
directors.
Proceeds from the sale will go to The Catholic University of America, which
has a secured interest in the property, and to the Archdiocese of Detroit
to repay funds advanced to establish and operate the Foundation-run
Cultural Center. Archbishop Allen Vigneron of
Detroit expressed his gratitude to the Knights for “stepping forward to
make this transaction a reality.” He applauded the intent of the Knights to
“strengthen the vision of the Center and continue the intended purpose for
the building and land.”
The Knights of Columbus worked closely with Blessed John Paul II throughout
his papacy, from cosponsoring his Mass at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York in
1995, to assisting with other papal trips, to providing support for
restoration projects at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and for papal
communications initiatives. The Knights also supported the foundation of
the U.S. session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage
and Family, now located at The Catholic University of America.
For more than a century, the Knights of Columbus has had a history of
involvement with Catholic institutions in Washington, many of them within a
few blocks of the planned shrine. The Knights’ work to date includes
substantial support for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the John
Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and The Catholic University
of America.
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest lay Catholic fraternal
organization, with more than 1.8 million members worldwide – the majority
of whom reside in North America. Last year the Knights donated more than
$154 million and more than 70 million hours to charitable causes.
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