Philippine Bishop Urges Knights of Columbus to Expand Role from Charity to Good Governance

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, has called on the Knights of Columbus to expand their mission beyond traditional charitable work and take a more active role in promoting good governance and family formation.

In his speech during the 13th National Convention of the Knight of Columbus in Davao City on May 1, Archbishop Garcera underscored synodality as a guiding principle, emphasizing that the Church is not only hierarchical but also communal, with the family as the first place where this communion is experienced.

He said strengthening family life is essential to building a society rooted in faith, hope, and love, noting that values learned at home shape how individuals engage in public life.

Archbishop Garcera urged the Knights to become more present in the daily realities of families and to help build homes where faith is actively lived.

He also linked synodality to personal conversion and leadership, stressing that efforts to improve governance must begin with individual integrity and responsibility.

“Our influence is not only in what we give, but in how we live,” he said.

During a January 2026 assembly, bishops introduced a framework inspired by the Katipunan, a 19th-century Filipino movement for independence, reinterpreted not as a political force but as a moral guide for daily life. The framework is intended to support the formation of values such as honesty, courage, and accountability.

Archbishop Garcera encouraged regional officers to coordinate with Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, former CBCP president known for his advocacy on moral leadership and governance, who is helping guide the implementation of the “Katipunan for Good Governance” program across local councils.

He said the initiative aims to align the Knights’ charitable work with broader civic responsibility and to contribute to preparing citizens for the 2028 national elections.

The program, he added, seeks to strengthen synodality as a foundation for ethical leadership and to promote a culture of integrity in public life.

Concluding his more than 2,000-word address, Archbishop Garcera reminded members that being a “Herald of Hope” involves a commitment to personal conversion, family renewal, and responsible citizenship.

He urged them to walk together, listen to one another, and serve with humility, placing their trust in God as they carry out their mission.

Archbishop Garcera also emphasized the need for a deeper presence in family life, saying, “Be present not only in the celebrations of families, but also in their struggles.”

He further underscored the broader social responsibility of the organization, adding, “If we want to change society, we cannot remain at the level of charity alone.”