Knights of Columbus to Take Over JP II Center

Published Wednesday, August 3, 2011 A.D. | By Paul Zummo

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson (and member of my council) announced today at the Supreme Convention in Denver that the Knights of Columbus are acquiring the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC.

“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,” Anderson said in a public statement.

“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.”

Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit confirmed that the Knights will provide a $20 million cash payment to the Detroit Archdiocese, which had poured $54 million into the cultural center, a project marked by cost overruns that continued to require large-interest payments from the Detroit Archdiocese.

Wonderful news for a site that was really struggling.

One Response to Knights of Columbus to Take Over JP II Center

RL says:

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 A.D. at 5:15pm

I bet Archbishop Vigneron and the folks in Michigan are breathing a big sigh of relief. I know I am for them. Sometimes it’s enough to just stop the bleeding. It works well this way because the KofC are on the hook for a cost that is much more appropriate for what they got in return. Not to mention it will be a national charitable organisation in charge so the support will be spread from around the country and by people with an active interest in the center. A win-win I think.