Well, we had our Installation yesterday. We had a great time.
Unfortunately, the day for me was hectic (being installed as Grand Knight), and I never got to ask the state officers my questions.
I’ll keep this issue in the back of my mind, and query folks as I meet with them. I think that you’ve raised good points, although, from my perspective, I still think that that any sort of revocation or suspension of membership in the Order for what these men did must be initiated by the priests or bishops involved.
One thing that I did note during the Installation ceremony, as our Council Chaplain (who is also our parish priest) was installed, the District Deputy specifically charged him with the duty to assure that all the men of the Council are practicing Catholics.
That reinforces my previously-stated views.
sitetest
(BTW, I'm just a schmuck in my council. Do quite a few fundraisers. Every rare now and again go to a social function. Usually don't do the meetings)
Here's a couple of things that I dug up for your consideration:
The Grand Knight's Handbook states, on page 60-61,
WITHDRAWAL — The withdrawal transaction cannot be reported by using the Form #100. Rather, a personal signed communication from the member requesting withdrawal (resignation) is required to be sent to the council or assembly and forwarded to the Supreme Council office. A member can resign whether he is current in dues or in arrears. The only stipulation is that he must be eligible for re-entry as of the date he files his letter of withdrawal with the council or assembly. Withdrawal is not an option for a felon, nonpractical Catholic, or someone who has been suspended or expelled under Section 162 of the Order’s Laws. Those members who apply for and are granted a withdrawal do not maintain continuous membership. The membership record will reflect a break in service.
Source: Knights of Columbus website
The pamphlet, "These Men They Call Knights" states the following:
Misconduct and Nonfeasance Of Members and OfficersSec. 162. Any member of the Order who after trial, excepting where it is provided that no trial shall be had, shall be found guilty of the conduct specified in the subdivisions following shall be fined, suspended or expelled as set forth therein, to wit: (The reader is referred to the "Charter, Constitution, Laws" for the specific misconducts specified by Sec. 162.)
Ipso Facto Forfeiture - Members
Sec. 168. Any member of this Order shall, ipso facto, forfeit his membership in the Order--
Failure to Remain a Practical Catholic
1. Who shall fail to remain a practical Catholic in union with the Holy See.
Failure to Pay Contributions or Assessments
2. Who fails to pay any per capita or special assessment levied by the Supreme Council or Board of Directors within thirty days from the date of mailing or transmitting the n6tice for such assessment by the Financial Secretary of his council.
Failure to Pay Dues
3. Who shall fail to pay his dues to his council within three months after the same are levied and payable (other than assessments levied by the Supreme Council, Board of Directors or for death benefit assessments or contributions); or
Conviction of a Felony
6. Who is convicted of a felony by a court of competent authority.
Special Consideration Granted
7. When an insurance membership of two or more years standing shall be forfeited on any account…
Effect of Suspension of Members
Sec. 169. (a) No suspended member, nor his administrators, executors or beneficiaries, during the time of such suspension and until reinstatement, shall have any claim of any description whatever against the council, or the Order, nor shall he be admitted to meetings of the council, or be entitled to any of the privileges of membership whatever until reinstated according to law, provided that, if the member has been an insurance member, and is entitled to continuance of his insurance under the automatic assessment or contribution loan provisions or under the terms of any nonforfeiture option set forth in his insurance certificate, such expulsion, suspension or forfeiture of membership shall not terminate his insurance unto the expiration of the period during which it is thus continued in force and further provided that unless the certificate is being kept in force because of the election of an option providing for paid-up insurance in a reduced amount or extended term insurance the insurance may be continued in force by cash payment of any required assessments or contributions and/or automatic per capita taxes where applicable. While the insurance is thus continued, the member shall be classed as an "inactive insurance member" as defined in Section 69.
(b) Any member who shall incur the penalty of explusion for any reason whatever, or who shall incur the penalty of forfeiture of membership for the reasons set forth in subdivision 6 of Section 168, shall never again be eligible to membership in the Order without the approval of the Board of Directors, upon petition and for cause shown.
Right to Trial
Sec. 170. Members of the Order shall not be fined, suspended for a fixed term, expelled or removed from office without trial, as hereinafter provided, except -
1.In all cases specified by the laws and rules of the Order, as laid down for the government of councils and members where it is or shall be decreed that for any act done or omitted to be done by a member he shall ipso facto forfeit his membership.
2.In all cases, as by law provided, where members may be summarily suspended by the Board of Directors, Supreme Knight, or state, district or territorial deputies.
Source: numerous council websites. This one taken from the Council 10563 (Seton Hall) site.
The Charter, Constitution, and Laws are not available online (my bad for not having my own copy), but I was able to find the following online:
Sec 162. Misconduct and Nonfeasance of Members and OfficersAny member of the Order who after trial, excepting where it is provided that no trial shall be had, shall be found guilty of the conduct specified in the subdivisions following shall be fined, suspended, or expelled as set forth therein, to wit: revealing work, misappropriation of funds, divulging cause of rejection, insubordination, giving scandal, refusal to testify, publishing detrimental matter, using the name of the Order, compensation of members of athletic teams, alcoholic excesses, printing or altering membership card, false charges, false statements, slander, failure to comply with laws, misfeasance or nonfeasance, and other causes …
Source: the Texas State Council's Education Director's website (a PowerPoint training class for District Deputies).
Perhaps if you have a printed copy you could verify the above for me.
As to the Catholicity of a member, I understand that this would involve the Chaplain. I am wondering what sort of communication you have with your chaplain so that he could "make the call," when appropriate. "Making the call" could include counsel, reproof, fraternal correction, or advising you, the Grand Knight, that the member in question can no longer be considered a 'practical Catholic.' (For example, if you have a Knight who remarries, you might not know if that Knight married in the Church or not...but the Chaplain would. Will he communicate that fact to you? If you are aware that a Knight is acting against the teachings of the Church, are you (privately) communicating that to the Chaplain?) This Catholicity criterion is only going to work if you have good communication going.
But, you'll note from what I posted, merely not paying dues and not getting a ruling about Catholicity are not the only two ways that a member can be disciplined. Section 162, it seems to me, would apply in a number of cases. One of the criteria therein is 'scandal.' Are these members bringing scandal upon the Order? Section 162 is a separate criterion from Catholicity (which is an ipso facto forfeiture of membership.
One thing on scandal. It is scandal to the Order NOT scandal to the Church. The fact that these folks voted the way they did was not scandalous, in of itself. It becomes scandalous if these folks made it publicly known that they were Knights of Columbus...driving around with a KofC License Tag on their car, wearing KofC apparel, citing KofC membership on their campaign websites, and so on, and then, while doing that, voted the way they did.
For example the Political Graveyard website lists both Biden and Dingel as members of KofC. Yet, if you go to either of their websites, they don't identify themselves as members. I would assume that they likewise would not do so on their campaign websites. In fact, the only way that I know of their membership was through the Political Graveyard. As a result, while their behavior in voting pro-abort, is objectively sinful, it is not scandalous to the KofC. (If they, in a campaign year, started advertising that they were KofC members, then their behavior would be scandalous)
Christopher Donelan (one of the Mass. 16) has made it a scandal, as he identifies himself as a member (see here). As has Stephen DiNatale (See here -- anybody a member of Council 99?). But, on the other hand, Kevin Honan wouldn't be...as his membership is not advertised. (I didn't check the rest of them)