NEW HAVEN, CONN. — The Knights of Columbus Board of Directors elected Patrick E. Kelly as the next Supreme Knight, to continue the mission of charity, unity and fraternity established by the Order’s Founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, almost 140 years ago.
Carl A. Anderson will retire on February 28, after more than 20 years of service as Supreme Knight and upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. He leaves a legacy of Christian witness and service to the Catholic Church, to the Knights of Columbus and to communities throughout the world.
Patrick Kelly’s tenure as the Order’s 14th Supreme Knight will commence March 1.
“The Knights of Columbus board has elected an extraordinarily well-qualified new Supreme Knight in Patrick Kelly”, retiring Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said.
“Patrick has dedicated his life in service to the Church, his country, and the Knights of Columbus. He has served as Deputy Supreme Knight for four years and is a well-rounded public servant with diplomatic and military experience”, he added.
Anderson also said that Kelly “is ideally suited to carry on the work of the Knights of Columbus as we enter a new era, faithful to our principles of charity, unity and fraternity, and in close collaboration with the Holy See and the bishops throughout the world.”
As Deputy Supreme Knight, Patrick Kelly has played a leading role in several major initiatives, including the K of C’s international religious freedom efforts, pro-life Ultrasound Initiative, and the new public initiation ceremony.
He also served as Executive Director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, leading its transformation through the creation of its worship spaces and world-class exhibit on the life of St. John Paul II.
Most recently, Kelly led the Knights’ grassroots response to the COVID-19 pandemic titled “Leave No Neighbor Behind.” Through this initiative, brother Knights around the world are serving those isolated and alone in quarantine, supporting food banks and blood centers in need of vital supplies, and providing other essential services.
Patrick has the experience and strong faith necessary to lead the Knights into the future.
For over a decade, Patrick Kelly has worked at a senior level on the frontlines of the Knights’ work in charity, advocacy, and the management of the organization’s multibillion-dollar insurance and investment operations.
He joined the Knights as a university student in Wisconsin in 1983 and later served as State Deputy in the District of Columbia from 2012-2013. He was named the Knights’ Vice President for Public Policy in 2006 and was elected Deputy Supreme Knight in January 2017.
