Ukrainian Catholic Presence at the 144th Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Denver

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton is pleased to share news of the 144th Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention, held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Centre near Denver, Colorado, from August 4–6, 2026. This annual gathering brought together thousands of Knights, chaplains, bishops, and delegates from around the world for several days of prayer, fraternity, and reflection on the mission of the Order.kofc+1

Among those present from our region were Father Slavko Dumec, State Chaplain for Alberta and Northwest Territories, and State Deputy Dave Wilson, representing the Knights of Columbus Alberta and NWT State Council. For Fr. Slavko, this was his first Supreme Convention, marking an important moment of connection between our local Church and the wider international community of Knights.

Strong Ukrainian Catholic representation

This year’s convention was notable for a strong Ukrainian Catholic presence. Several Canadian jurisdictions — Alberta/NWT, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia — are currently served by Ukrainian Catholic clergy as State Chaplains, offering spiritual leadership to Knights and their families across the country. In addition, Ukrainian bishops from Ukraine, both Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic, were present to represent Ukraine, share about the life of the Church, and join the Order in prayer and solidarity during an ongoing time of suffering for the Ukrainian people.

The convention’s emphasis on unity and charity, reflected in Pope Leo XIV’s video message and the theme “In the One, we are one,” provided a fitting context for this visible Ukrainian participation and for the Knights’ continued support for Ukraine at an international level.

Encounters with Knights’ leadership

During the convention, delegates from Alberta and NWT had the opportunity to meet both Past Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, who led the Knights of Columbus from 2000 to 2021, and the current Supreme Knight & CEO Patrick E. Kelly, who has served as Supreme Knight since 2021. These encounters highlighted the continuity of leadership within the Order and the ongoing commitment to charity, unity, and fraternity in service of the Church.

A moment of communion with the universal Church

For the Eparchy of Edmonton, this Supreme Convention was an important moment of communion with the universal Church and with the worldwide family of Knights of Columbus. It:

• highlighted the significant role of Ukrainian Catholic clergy in the spiritual life of the Order,
• strengthened ties between our local councils and the global Knights of Columbus community,
• and witnessed the ongoing support and solidarity for Ukraine at a major international Catholic gathering.

We are grateful for Fr. Slavko Dumec’s presence and service as State Chaplain and for State Deputy Dave Wilson’s leadership within the Alberta and NWT State Council, and we share this news with the faithful of the Eparchy as a sign of our communion with the Knights of Columbus and the universal Church.

Images courtesy of Fr. Slavko Dumec.