Regalia changes lead to many restless Knights ​

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Now boasting nearly two million members from the Philippines to Poland, the Knights of Columbus has become one of the most significant contributions of American Catholicism to the global Church. Despite its international presence, the emphasis upon patriotism as a foundational virtue has made the sight of Fourth Degree Knights – with their flowing satin capes and ostrich-feather chapeaus – an iconic symbol of Catholicism in the United States.

The Fourth Degree is soon to look quite different, however, after Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced a dramatic change to the traditional regalia intended to “modernize” the Degree, eliminating the capes and replacing the signature chapeau with a staid beret. The decision has created tension between the Supreme Council and many Knights who feel left out of the decision-making process and disappointed by the loss of the traditional regalia.

“There’s certainly been consternation about the changes,” said Michael Colvin, a former Grand Knight and member of Knights Council 7238 (attached to SS. John and James Parish in West Warwick). “When you’re talking about Knights, you’re talking about guys who really believe in tradition. So a big change like this happening all of a sudden — you’re going to see some frustration.”

The change was announced in August at the 135th annual international convention of the Knights of Columbus in St Louis, Missouri. Announcing the “historic change,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said that “the Board of Directors has decided that the time is right for a modernization of the Fourth Degree uniform.” Anderson indicated that the change was intended to attract new, younger members to the Fourth Degree, saying in a prepared statement that Supreme had received “consistent reports that the old regalia presented a barrier to Fourth Degree membership, especially among younger men.”

Vincent Fernandes, of Mississauga, Ontario is a Third Degree Knight and belongs to the demographic that the updated regalia is intended to attract. In an interview with Rhode Island Catholic, however, he expressed reservations about the change.

“My father was a Fourth Degree Knight,” Fernandes said, “and one of the most significant aspects of Fourth Degree membership that appealed to me was getting to wear his old uniform and carry on the family tradition.”

Fernandes suggested that an increased focus on recruitment and retention would likely prove more effective than a regalia change in accelerating the growth of the Degree.

Although this emphasis on tradition was a common refrain among Knights, it is worth noting that the regalia has undergone many drastic changes over the course of its existence.

When it was established in the late 19th Century, the uniform for the degree consisted of standard formal attire for the period: a white tie, a top hat and tails. The naval-inspired elements were added over the course of the next several decades, with the combination of tuxedo shirt, cape and chapeau being standardized in 1940.

Ironically, the chapeaus and capes also received a cool reception from many Knights upon their introduction because of their striking similarity to the Class A uniform worn by the majority of American Freemasons at the time.

Anderson appealed to this sartorial history of the Degree to support his argument that the Order must be willing to adapt to changing times.

Prior alterations to the uniform, however, were generally made incrementally, and there has not been a significant change in more than 70 years.

The current change is certainly dramatic, consisting of a blue blazer bearing the Fourth Degree emblem, a pair of dark grey slacks and a military-style beret also bearing the emblem. The American uniform also features a red, white and blue sash across the breast, though Knights in other countries will wear designs that correspond with their national colors.

There was originally no mention of whether or not the new uniform would still include a ceremonial sword, but Anderson, perhaps reacting to the controversy already generated by the uniform update, has since confirmed that swords will still be allowed.

This design has disappointed many Knights because of its comparative simplicity.

Bishop Thomas Tobin (himself a Fourth Degree Knight) expressed his unambiguous disapproval in a Facebook post, saying that “the traditional uniforms were fine as they were recognizable, colorful and classy... The new uniforms, I’m not so sure. The decision to change should be reconsidered.”

Another major objection raised against the new uniform is rooted not in tradition, but in the cost of the regalia.

Tony Meir serves as captain of his honor guard in Jackson, Missouri (not far from the location of the convention where the change was first announced). Six members of his council had just purchased their Fourth Degree regalia, only to discover that it will become invalid in June 2018.

Although Supreme is willing to buy back recently purchased uniforms for $200 each, and insists that the new uniforms will be sold “at or below cost,” Meir reports that the cost is still likely to prove prohibitive for many members on a fixed income.

“After much discussion, our assembly has decided that we can no longer maintain an honor guard,” Meir said. “Many other assemblies I’ve spoken with seem to be moving in the same direction.”

Michael Benson, state deputy and leader of the 6,680 Knights of Columbus in Rhode Island, acknowledged the disappointment resulting from the change, but expressed a hope that local Knights will be able to “find a way to unify” and move forward.

“The Sir Knights concerned with the change have valid criticisms,” he said, “most especially the pride they have wearing the current regalia.”

Nevertheless, he noted that the primary duty of the Knights is to serve the Church and the community, and that this, rather than the uniform, should always inspire the most pride in a loyal Knight.

Benson noted that he has heard plenty of feedback from local knights (both positive and negative: he estimates that for every 12 complaints, one Knight has been enthusiastic about the change), but was adamant that the Knights must remain “task-oriented and more focused on results than regalia.”

Despite the current concerns within the Knights of Columbus, however, they remain an order founded upon the principles of fraternity and unity, and it seems unlikely that any uniform change could be enough to cause an irreparable split within their ranks.

Though many members have expressed their hope that the decision may be reversed (an online petition to that effect has gathered more than 7,000 signatures, and #SaveOurRegalia was briefly trending on Twitter and Facebook earlier this month), they remain united in their loyalty to the Order.

It was this “spirit of unity” that the Committee for the Good of the Order appealed to when asking Knights to “assist with a smooth transition to the new uniform and encourage it to be worn with great dignity and pride.”

As beloved as the feathers and fluff may have been, the true meaning of Knighthood is unity and service.

This sentiment was echoed by Benson who called on all local Knights to continue working together to serve the diocese and remain true to the founding vision of Father Michael McGivney.

It seems reasonable to expect that this commitment to helping those in need will draw younger members into the fraternity, and even help retain those older Knights disappointed by the change.

Certainly the hope is that the Knights of Rhode Island — the oldest State Council in the country — will continue to lead their brothers in this important mission.