Why Christopher Columbus wasn't the hero we learned about in school

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At this point, just about everyone and their mother is aware that Columbus was a poor Governor. The guy wasn’t a saint but I really don’t see the point in annually maligning him.
RidgeSprinter said:
I was a Knight of Columbus for 25 years. This is one of the many reasons I resigned a few years back.
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I see where this is going… So what should we do then? Defund, boycott, or rename the KofC?
 
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Now you’ve really opened a can of worms 😒🚬
 
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I see a name change in 3, 2,…

How long before we must bury the memory of Aquinas or Francis?
 
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B-b-but he wasn’t up to snuff when it comes to today’s standards of secular social justice!
 
Jesus wasn’t tough enough on the social ills of his day. He said nothing against slavery!
 
I thought it was something else-ist. I get confused with all these offenses.
 
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Is there really anyone left in the entire United States of America who hasn’t heard this by now, multiple times?

It’s not news to anyone. As for the K of C, it has nothing to do with Columbus himself. Perhaps after Fr. McGivney is beatified or canonized they can consider a name change. But if you bailed on the concept of serving your church and community over this, then you just missed out on a chance to make good come out of past bad.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
As for the K of C, it has nothing to do with Columbus himself.
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After much consultation Fr. McGivney started the “Sons of Columbus” in 1882, named in such a way as to “bind Catholicism and Americanism together through the faith and bold vision of the New World’s discoverer.” The word “Sons” was soon replaced by “Knights” to further invigorate the men who would become members.
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It is reported by the Knights that “Father McGivney … understood that using Columbus as their Order’s namesake asserted an important truth: that not only was there a place for Catholics and immigrants within American society, but that such a person had already played a part in creating the young, free world around them.”
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While the organization admits Columbus was not perfect, they celebrate his many achievements and how he “gave voice and representation to generations of Catholics, helping pave a path for the diverse society we have today.”
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Yes, this was Fr McGivney’s thinking at the time the organization was named. Columbus in those days was one of the only Italian immigrants actually respected and revered by the Protestants who’d already settled in USA.

The daily work of the K of C in my lifetime has nothing to do with what Columbus did. Most of the people in it are no longer recent immigrants but have been in this country for several generations. Anti-Catholic bias is not what it used to be, and Columbus is not being viewed or promoted as a saint or a possible saint or any of that.

Perhaps the time has come to eventually rebrand them as the Fr McGivney Society.
 
The wife of NYC’s mayor had a vote for a project called ‘She Built New York’ which would put up statues of prominent NYC women. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini) was the top vote getter but was rejected by the mayor’s wife.

Anyway, nevermind the saints, the teachings of Jesus would be in danger of being considered ‘hate speech’ if the democrats get full control.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
Perhaps the time has come to eventually rebrand them as the Fr McGivney Society.
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There is already a Father McGivney Guild, and you are welcome to register for membership, which is free. The postulator for Ven. McGivney is in charge, and miracles and favors obtained are regularly reported and published in the newsletter. His work is very inspiring, as we read in the book Parish Priest.

 
Right, I’m aware of that. That is, however, the society for promoting his sainthood cause. It has that specific mission, as do the guilds for other persons on the path to sainthood.

I would presume the Knights of Columbus would continue their current activities, but perhaps find some other moniker that would not constantly bring up the name of Columbus in order to stop the constant complaints and remarks about Columbus’ alleged misdeeds.

Columbus is not a saint and he is no longer an admirable person to most of the American public. It is what it is. It may be time for a rebranding.
 
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Your husband is welcome to draft a resolution to change the name of the Order, that can be voted up from Council to State jurisdiction to the Supreme Convention. I am sure some of the worthy brothers would have a good chuckle over it.
 
Thank you, but I think you mistook me for someone else. My husband was a Protestant, was never a K of C member, and died a couple years ago.

I will leave it to the K of C to figure this one out on their own, but I would not be surprised if we do eventually see a rebranding.
 
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