Editorial
‘500 … and Counting’
“500 Ultrasound Machines and Counting” reads the headline on the cover of the January issue of Columbia, the monthly magazine published by the Knights of Columbus.
Though you probably won’t read about this newsworthy achievement in secular media outlets, we felt it was extremely important to note—especially only weeks before we commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion on demand in the U.S. during all nine months of pregnancy. Since that misguided court ruling, more than 57 million unborn babies in the U.S. have died as a result of abortion.
The Columbia story, written by managing editor Andrew J. Matt, notes that the Knights’ Ultrasound Inititiative started in January of 2009 and has delivered more than 500 machines in all 50 states, which in turn has saved countless lives.
Since the initiative was launched, Matt writes, state and local Knights of Columbus councils have assisted qualified pregnancy centers in their areas by raising funds to cover half the cost of an ultrasound machine. Through the Knights’ Culture of Life Fund, and in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Knights’ Supreme Council then matches those dollars toward the purchase price of the machines, which start at about $20,000.
Knights of Columbus councils across the Hoosier State, including several here in central and southern Indiana, have stepped up to raise funds to purchase ultrasound machines for pregnancy care centers. We thank them for their commitment to this important pro-life cause, and pray more councils are able to raise the funds to expand the Knights’ outreach.
“When we began this program five years ago, we hoped to put a machine in every state,” noted Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson during a November presentation and blessing of the 500th machine at the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns in Dundalk, Md.
“Not only has this program saved the life of countless unborn children, but it has also saved many mothers—and fathers—from a lifetime of regret.”
We must continue to pray each day for all unborn children, and for their mothers and fathers to choose life. May the number of these ultrasound machines continue to grow, and be among the tools that open the hearts and minds of all expectant parents to see what a wonderful gift their child in the womb is.
—Mike Krokos
Good luck, Bishop Coyne
It was inevitable, only a matter of time.
When the news arrived from the Vatican on Dec. 22, 2014, announcing Bishop Christopher J. Coyne had been named to lead the Diocese of Burlington, Vt., no one in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis should have been surprised.
After nearly four years of playing an important leadership role in the archdiocese as an auxiliary bishop and vicar general, Bishop Coyne, 56, was no doubt ready for the challenges that come with being a shepherd and spiritual leader of his own diocese.
He dedicated much of his early time in central and southern Indiana to administrative ministry, including serving for more than a year as the archdiocese’s apostolic administrator after Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein was granted an early retirement in the fall of 2011.
Most recently, Bishop Coyne served in episcopal ministry and assisted Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin in special responsibilities in the New Albany, Seymour and Tell City deaneries and as administrator of Sacred Heart and St. Augustine parishes, both in Jeffersonville. In November, Bishop Coyne was also chosen chairman-elect of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Communications.
From celebrating priestly ordinations and confirmations to dedicating new churches, from tweeting about life as a Catholic bishop to keeping a strong presence on Facebook, from attending parish festivals and sampling deep-fried Twinkies at a county fair to offering the invocation at the Indianapolis 500, Bishop Coyne displayed his passion for sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith—and showed his appreciation for living in Indiana.
We offer our prayers for the success of Bishop Coyne’s new appointment. May his years in Vermont bear much fruit for him and our brothers and sisters in Christ there.
—Mike Krokos