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| Abbreviation | KSC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 5 October 1919 |
| Type | Catholic fraternal service Order |
| Headquarters | 196 Clyde St, Glasgow G1 4JY |
Supreme Knight | Harry Welsh |
Key people | The Incorporators |
| Website | www.ksc.org.uk |
The Knights of St Columba is a fraternal service order affiliated with the Catholic Church in Scotland and in England and Wales.[1] Founded in Glasgow in 1919,[2] the Knights are named in honour of Saint Columba, a 6th-century missionary descended from the Gaelic nobility of Ireland in modern County Donegal, who successfully evangelized both the Picts and Gaels of modern Scotland. The Knights describes themselves as dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity.[3] There are around 2400 members of the KSC, in over 200 councils across Great Britain — it features in England, Scotland and Wales. Membership is limited to Catholic men aged 16 and over, and promotes the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.[1]
The organisation is non-political and essentially democratic, does not admit women, and exists to support the mission of the Catholic Church. The KSC organisation is a member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights. Founder of the Knights and first Supreme Knight was P. J. O'Callaghan.
Admission ceremonies usually take place in a Catholic parish during the celebration of Mass.
The group organises annual pilgrimages to Aylesford PrioryinKent and Carfin Lourdes Grotto near MotherwellinNorth Lanarkshire.
At local level, Members belong to a Council or Charter Council, led by the Grand Knight. The Charter Councils in an area (often corresponding to a Catholic Diocese) come together to form a Province, under the Provincial Grand Knight. Provinces are arranged into larger areas known as Regions, under the Regional Director, who is a member of the Board of Directors. Representatives of the Board of Directors, Regions and Provinces meet at least once annually at the Supreme Council which governs the Order. The Supreme Knight presides over the Supreme Council.
