The 27 th biennial conference of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK), opened on 
Sunday, September 10, 2017 with an opening Mass at the Basilica of the National shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, USA.
The Principal Celebrant and Homilist was the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Most Rev.
Christophe Pierre.
Welcoming the Knights to the Basilica on behalf of the Holy Father, he observed the Unity in
Diversity of the membership of the Alliance of Catholic Knights, united as one in the body Christ.
In his homily, he said the Church today needed a new type of Knights to defend the Church against
the evils of society such as pornography, drug abuse, etc.
Most Rev Pierre reminded the Knights that as leaders, they had a duty to speak out against the
societal evils.
According to him, silence would mean consent to those evils that confront the world today in the
name of modernity, civilization and or human rights.
“Such acts cannot be human rights if they do not stand for the Common Good”, he observed.
He urged the congregation to pray for the victims of hurricane Irma in the State of Florida and other
areas before it such as hurricane Jose and others which have left many displaced, devastated and
homeless.
He prayed for Brothers and Sisters who had fallen away from the Lord, so that they might be
reconciled back to God.
The Opening Day was rounded up with a visit to Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
Background
The biennial conference brings all the Knighthood Orders within the Catholic World to share their
experiences and best practices that would move the Orders forward.
The conference venue rotates from country to country. The 2015 IACK Conference was held in Perth,
Australia.
This year’s conference is being co-hosted by the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. Peter
Claver, both of the United States of America.
The Conference will start with an opening Mass, a Welcome and Opening Statement from the
President of the Alliance, Bro. DeKarlos followed by fraternal messages from allied societies and
organizations.
The meeting will receive and discuss a conference report from the Secretary General, Bro. Niall M.
Kennedy on International Catholic Action held in Rome and follow up action by the Alliance
members.
The Conference among others will end with elections and Installation of new Officers of the Alliance
for the next two years.
The Supreme Knight, Sir Kt Bro Ambrose Yennah and Sir Kt Bro Eddie Prah, President of Unum
Omnes have so far arrived for the conference while Liberia State Grand Knight, W/Bro Daniel Kwabo
will join them in the course of the conference.