Contact: Andrew Walther, Knights of Columbus, 203-752-4253

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Mar. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- As it prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary this Thursday, March 29, 2007, the Knights of Columbus stands out among fraternal societies, having registered 35 years of uninterrupted membership growth even as many other fraternals have been shrinking. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson noted that, "While Author Robert Putnam famously worried that Americans were 'Bowling Alone' in his book of several years ago, Knights of Columbus are not only bowling together, but are doing many other things together with their families and brother Knights, in numbers that grow every year."

Membership in the Knights of Columbus has grown nearly 50 percent, from 1.15 million members in 1972 to 1.72 million members today. In fact, membership in the Knights has increased each year since 1972, and the K of C is now the world's largest lay Catholic membership organization.

"At a time when many fraternal organizations are finding it difficult to attract new members, our continued membership growth is a testament to our history of 125 years of faith in action," Anderson said. "Father Michael J. McGivney founded an organization dedicated to safeguarding the faith and financial well-being of families, and our continued growth speaks volumes to the importance of those goals, which are as relevant today as they were in 1882."

As a fraternal benefit society, the Knights of Columbus provides its members a variety of life insurance products for the financial stability of their families. One of the most highly rated insurance companies in North America, the K of C has more than $62 billion of life insurance in force and consistently earns the industry's highest ratings for fiscal management and ethical business practices. It is one of only four insurance companies in North America to receive the highest possible ratings from Standard & Poor's (AAA) and A.M. Best (A++), and certification from the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association.

The Knights of Columbus has also long been actively involved in American public life. Before and throughout World War I, the Knights ran "Army Huts" – facilities that provided recreation, snacks and comfort items to the troops near bases and near the front. The huts – whose motto was "Everybody welcome. Everything free" – were a predecessor to the USO. During the 1920s, in direct opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, the Knights lobbied President Calvin Coolidge to pressure the Mexican government to stop its persecution of Catholics in Mexico. Ultimately, the lobbying paid off, and an accord was reached between the Church and the Mexican government.

In the 1950s, the Knights of Columbus led the effort to have the words "under God" added to the Pledge of Allegiance. The organization continues to speak out on important social issues – especially in the area of the protection of human life – today. Among the many notable Knights over the past 125 years were: writers Joyce Kilmer and Miles Connolly, sports legends Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, Vince Lombardi, Floyd Patterson and Ron Guidry, and statesmen Al Smith, Henry Hyde, John F. Kennedy, Jeb Bush and Sargent Shriver. Last year, the Knights of Columbus donated more than $139 million and 64 million volunteer hours to charity.