The Knights of the Southern Cross Western Australia joyously commemorated a rich history of immense contribution to WA at their Centennial Mass and celebration, on Saturday 12 February 2022 at St Mary’s Cathedral, taking the opportunity to reflect on the momentous changes that have occurred over the past 100 years.
“One hundred years ago, when the Knights of the Southern Cross were established in Australia, the social and religious context in which the Catholic Church found itself was very different to that of today,” Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said to the gathered Knights, family and invited guests.
“We are all aware, for example, of the fact that so many job advertisements at that time included the phrase ‘Catholics need not apply’.”
“It was in the context of this challenging social and religious environment that the Knights of the Southern Cross was formed to provide support, encouragement and fraternity for Catholics and to stand up for the rights and teachings of the Church,” Archbishop Costelloe explained.
“Yet, although in many ways it was a bleak time for Catholics it was nonetheless a time when Catholics and other Christians, who together formed the vast majority of the Australian population, at least shared the same fundamental moral values.”
The Knights were instrumental in bringing about ecumenical cooperation through their pursuit of goals that fostered clear social benefits for West Australians, such as KSC WA’s financial support of the Christian Brothers Agricultural School at Tardun as well as their involvement in the Bushies Scheme, which transported children from the country to regional centres for religious education.
During the post WWII period, the Knights established the Catholic Welfare Organisation, whose successor, Catholic Social Services Australia, now oversees some 45 Catholic welfare agencies.
Similarly, The Parents and Friends Federation of Western Australia Inc. was founded by the Knights in 1954, when 14 Parents and Friends’ Associations were united as a Federation to lobby the government for funding for Catholic education.
By 1955, 28 schools were affiliated, and in 2022, the Federation now represents the parents of more than 70,000 students in Catholic schools across the state.
Seeing a deep need for residential care among elderly West Australians, the Knights established Southern Cross Care in 1966, surviving the “post-Vatican II slump” through the financial support of such initiatives, an insistence on the family as the fundamental unit of society, and an ecumenical defence of Christian values.
They spearheaded the efforts which saw the gradual breakdown of sectarianism during the 60’s and 70’s.
In modern times, Southern Cross Care, expanded their efforts from residential care to affordable home care and independent living.
The Knights have also become champions of Catholic education in WA, through their support of the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, and their generous work granting scholarships for religious education through the KSC Education Foundation.
“For the last 100 years the Knights of the Southern Cross have been known for their commitment to the faith and for their fidelity to the Lord and to his Church,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“At a time of great challenge and trial for the Church which we all love and to which we are so privileged to belong, it is my earnest prayer and plea that you all renew your determination to continue along the path of faith and service as the Knights continue to be signs and bearers of the Lord’s love for his people.”