The Ontario Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization supporting the Catholic Church and various charities, have approved a resolution not to fund any provincial hospitals that commit abortion.

The motion was put forward by North York Council 4393 during the Knights’ state convention in mid-May. The resolution reads: “Whereas hospitals that do abortions are guilty of a heinous crime, the Ontario Knights of Columbus shall not continue to ignore this situation by carrying on supporting them financially…Be it resolved that Knights of Columbus councils put on notice hospitals that commit abortions that councils will make their donation to hospitals that do not commit abortions, or make their contributions to other valuable community undertakings that do not deride our Christian sentiments.”

Diverting donations from abortion-performing hospitals now becomes policy for all Ontario’s 448 Knights of Columbus councils. “This is basically what the Knights have been doing all along,” said Ontario Knights of Columbus State Deputy Michael Sheehan of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

He added however that the resolution is open to interpretation. Sheehan said some members of the fraternity are confused over the implications of the resolution, especially as it applies to communities with only one local hospital.

Alex Schadenberg, the chairman of the Ontario Knights’ pro-life and family committee, said the action is a “great example” for the province. “This sends out the message that the Knights of Columbus won’t materially cooperate with the evil of abortion,” Schadenberg told The Interim. “We recognize that hospitals do a lot of good things in this province, but by taking this stand, we hope that hospitals might redirect some of their funding to things we’re all in favour of.”

Schadenberg, who also serves as director of the pro-life office for the Roman Catholic diocese of London, downplayed suggestions that the move will pose serious hardship for smaller hospitals. “Knights of Columbus contributions by themselves are not responsible for keeping hospitals open,” he said. “We’re not talking about a huge amount of money here, perhaps half-a-million dollars annually. The Knights of Columbus are not major players in the hospital funding picture.”

Frank Kennedy, grand knight of North York council 4393, has been promoting the pro-life resolution since 1990. He said contributions to hospitals – even if they are earmarked for positive ends – tend to free up funds for other uses, including abortion. It’s the same reasoning the pro-life community used to criticize Catholic groups for their financial contributions to UNICEF and the National Action Council on the Status of Women.

Kennedy admitted some councils, especially in smaller cities, might have problems with the resolution because hospitals have traditionally been the chief beneficiary of the Knights’ fund-raising activity. He added however that the motion was designed not to punish hospitals but to encourage a greater pro-life attitude.

“It’s like saying, ‘here’s some money we’ve raised. We’ll gladly donate it to the hospital if you stop the killing of unborn children,’” Kennedy said.

Pro-life organizations applaud the Ontario Knights for their action. Pro-lifers say the Knights’ initiative is noteworthy for its symbolic value in not cooperating in any way with the abortion industry.

“Donations to hospitals which do abortions are counterproductive to any attempt at promoting a culture of life,” said Toronto Right to Life president, June Scandiffio, in a letter to the Ontario Knights of Columbus. “I’m sure the Holy Father will be very pleases to see that the Ontario Knights are promoting and defending the Gospel of Life.”

Meanwhile, Jim Hughes, national president of Campaign Life Coalition, said the Knights of Columbus deserve praise for the pro-life message they have sent out to hospitals. “This is the day when I am very proud to say that I am a member of the Knights of Columbus.”

The Interim attempted to obtain comment on the resolution from the Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant of New Haven, Connecticut, and from Supreme Chaplain Bishop Thomas Daley of Brooklyn, N.Y. Neither was able to respond prior to The Interim going to press.