News

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 10, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – After concerned LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) readers contacted the Knights of Malta, sources within the Knights have confirmed they will likely reject the knighthood application of former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. Williams is on record as being a staunch advocate for abortion and same-sex “marriage.”

Sources say Williams is “unlikely” to be accepted into the Order of the Knights of Malta, a highly prestigious Catholic order, “unless of course he completely repudiates formally” his statements on life and family issues.

LSN reported last week that Williams was undergoing formation in the prestigious Order, one of whose primary charisms is to “defend the Faith,” despite his well-documented opposition to Church teaching. 

During his mayoral election campaign in 1998, Williams told a Planned Parenthood questionnaire that he supported unlimited access to abortion. 

“We will not go back to the days of women dying from back-alley abortions,” said Williams.  “I do not support limiting access to safe and medically necessary methods of abortion.”  Williams also indicated he opposed parental notification laws for minors seeking abortion.

In questionnaires concerning homosexualist legislation, Williams promised to support same-sex “marriage” and opposed federal legislation defending true marriage.  He also said he favored homosexual adoption, as well as legislation “that will guarantee that no future Mayor can disregard the needs of the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual) community.”

This marks the second time the Knights have moved against a pro-abortion politician’s application after LSN reported the matter.

LSN reported in early 2007 that Terry McAuliffe, a former DNC chairman who admitted to defying Church teaching on abortion, was on track to knighthood.  Within days, the Knights of Malta in Rome officially notified LSN that under no circumstances would McCauliffe be admitted to the august order.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Catholic Knights of Malta to Honor Radical Anti-Life, Anti-Family Former DC Mayor Williams
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030406.html

Knights of Malta in Rome Reject Pro-Abortion Terry McAuliffe
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07020202.html

“Must Be Another Order” Say Disbelieving Malta Knights Over Pro-Abort Terry McAuliffe’s Revelation
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07020108.html

Terry McAuliffe: A Pro-Abortion US Knight of Malta
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jan/07013108.html