The Knights are joined to the Holy Catholic Church as branches to the stem, and therefore acknowledge and humbly respect the authority of her pastors, especially that of the Supreme Pontiff and the local Ordinary. They strive to be completely faithful to the Magisterium of the Church and her traditions. Thus, Knights are to have read and studied the Catechism of the Catholic Church and will strive to study the teachings and writings of our holy popes and bishops, especially the Bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln.
It is both an honor and a duty to render religious and filial submission to the Supreme Pontiff and the Bishops where the Knights have homes and carry out apostolates. They will strive to follow the Bishop’s instructions and to cooperate in carrying out his pastoral priorities within his diocese.
The Knights will also strive to cooperate with and assist the priests where they serve, especially the pastor of any parish they are in.
St. Francis says that the brothers are to have a great respect for priests, “even if they may be sinners,” since “theirs is the greater ministry that deals with the most holy Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ” (Admonition 26:2-3). Thus, the Knights are to strengthen and support priests in their vocations through continued prayer for priests, the offering of assistance, and their good example and charity.
St. Francis, who had a great love and respect for the priesthood, was ordained a deacon. In imitation of their holy model, the Knights are open to the call of their members being ordained in accordance with the desires and needs of the local Ordinary.
