DALLAS, August 3, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The White House confirmed that President Bush has accepted an invitation to speak at the 122nd annual international convention of the Knights of Columbus today in Dallas, Texas. In related news, Gerald Salvatori, a highly placed Knight in Canton Massachusetts, was disciplined for infringing the fraternal organization’s rule against giving a public forum to pro-abortion politicians.
Bush will address some 2000 delegates at the convention who represent the organization’s 1.7 million members worldwide (approximately 1.4 million in the U.S.). The convention is being held at the Hyatt Regency at Reunion, August 3-5.
Meanwhile, Salvatori was suspended for four days after inviting abortion supporters Rep. William Galvin (D-Canton) and Sen. Brian Joyce (D-Milton) to a June 24 event held by the Knights. Local coverage reports that the decision to suspend was made by Massachusetts State Deputy Thomas Ledbetter.
The long-standing policy of the Knights regarding the issue was renewed as recently as 2001. A pro-life resolution at that convention reaffirmed the Order’s policy against providing a public forum, or bestowing honors and privileges of the Knights, on anyone – especially public officials and candidates for public office – who does not support legal protection of unborn children, or who advocates for euthanasia, assisted suicide and partial-birth abortion. jhw