The Knights of Columbus has pledged to donate $100,000 to the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Relief Fund that is dedicated to helping those affected by the Baltimore bridge’s collapse.
“The Knights of Columbus was, of course, shocked by the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge and especially saddened by the tragic loss of life,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly in a written statement. “Blessed Michael McGivney founded the Knights over 140 years ago to support widows and orphans. So it was only natural that, upon learning of the death of six road workers – including husbands and fathers from the Catholic Hispanic community – we were moved to join with the church in Baltimore in providing aid to their widows and orphans.”
Six construction workers, all of them originally from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, perished March 26 after a large container ship lost power, hit the bridge and caused it to collapse. The workers had been filling potholes on the bridge.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore launched an appeal to support the Francis Scott Key Bridge Relief Fund and the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Apostleship of the Sea, a ministry to seafarers at the Port of Baltimore.
Not counting the donation from the Knights of Columbus, nearly $70,000 has been contributed to the Bridge Relief Fund and $25,000 has been donated to Apostleship of the Sea as of April 11, according to Kim Montgomery, chief advancement officer for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
The Bridge Relief Fund supports the ministry at Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown. Redemptorist Father Ako Walker, pastor of the largely Spanish-speaking parish, has been providing pastoral support to the families of deceased construction workers.
The Key Bridge Relief Fund will also support the parish’s work with partners such as Catholic Charities-run Esperanza Center to meet the ongoing needs of the victims’ families and others in the city who face job losses. That could include assistance for housing costs, medical and mental health treatment, and replacement for lost wages.
Andrew Middleton, director of Apostleship of the Sea, has been supporting members of the crew on the cargo ship that rammed into the bridge and caused its collapse. The ministry has also been arranging Masses and providing other support for the crews of additional ships stranded at the port.
Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori is the Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
To make a donation to the Francis Scott Key Relief fund, click here. To make a donation to the Apostleship of the Sea, click here.
Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org
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