The Knights of Columbus (symbol pictured), founded in 1882, has often been described as the 'Catholic Masons' because Catholics were forbidden, by a Papal edict, from joining the Freemasons. The purpose of the fraternal organization, which was originally open to Catholic men over the age of 18, was to provide assistance to widows and orphans of the parish. It had close to 1.5million members in 1994. Although it has many similarities to the Freemasons, including degrees and rituals, it is mainly an insurance company. In recent years it has become more active in community affairs and politics
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