Some of our feathered friends…
Posted by Terry Nelson on Apr 25th, 2008
Make a lot of money.
Well, not that much. Anyway. You know that guy, the one who was on EWTN with Raymond and Fr. Neuhaus when the Pope was here; you know, the one who is the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, did you know he makes $1,167,721.00 a year? That kind of money can pay for a lot of marabou. Story here. (To be fair, his income really is modest by current CEO standards - it’s not a lot of money now days. It’s fun to point out however.)
Have a nice Friday, you envious people at California Daily. Who says it’s not all about money, huh?
April 25th, 2008 at 3:57 am
That’s one of the sickest posts you’ve ever pointed out. Why do these people hate so much?
April 25th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Someone say it ain’t so…..
April 25th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Poor Knights, founded by a good priest, now to be tarnished by Mr. Anderson, not because of his salary, but because of his book, his web site, his gross self promotion.
Mr. Anderson is another in a long line of lay professional Catholic celebs, self promoters, who make their way through my town every single year hawking their latest book—- which is simply Church teaching re-written. They are profiting off of the Gospel and leave behind in their wake their own cult of celebrity: web sites listing their accomplishments and awards, pics of them with the Holy Father and national celebs, book signings, and speaking engagements and nothing of the Holy Gospel which is the hidden pearl and not to be found in acclaim and the praises of men.
Keep close to poor priests and men who have sold everything….
April 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’d have to point out that Mr. Anderson, unlike so many professional Catholics, actually commits his life to running a charity that does more good than the whole blogosphere put together. More of that money goes back to charities than most people realize.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I just checked. This is on the order page for the book: “All author proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Knights of Columbus Charities.”
April 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Jeffrey - thank you - I stand corrected. Thanks for your research and setting us straight.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:27 am
The monk in me wants to say B.S.
That kind of salary is so incommensurate that it is a scandal, and it will be if the rank and file in the Knights know what the Supreme Knight is being paid, if this is true. I simple can’t comprehend this story, and I hope someone figures out whether it’s true or not.
I just did a little research, and though the following figures are a few years old, it’s a reality check. All of these organizations run charities that far exceed what the Knights do.
The Salvation Army — Commissioners W. Todd Bassett and his wife Carol A. Bassett jointly received basic living allowances and grants totaling $64,210 for 2004 plus housing valued at $34,116.
The United Way — Ralph Dickerson Jr. current salary is $420,000 per year.
Red Cross — Marsha J. Evans, the president of the American Red Cross, was paid $651,957 in 2004.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I don’t know Mr. Anderson from a hill of beans. From what Mr. Smith wrote, he seems like he is a decent person.
Having said that, I do get offended when people make large sums from non-profits. While not the most generous measure, I don’t think anyone working at a non-profit should make over twice my income. The way non-profits are presently constituted, I suppose most of them would cease their existence. I’m not asking anyone to take a vow of poverty, but $100,000+ is a lot of money for a glorified volunteer. Part of being a volunteer means foregoing the gain you could have expected in the private sector. The CEO of McDonalds never came begging to me asking for $25. I find it offensive that my $25 goes first to pay a $1 million salary. I’m not opposed to a reasonable stipend, possible in the $200,000 range given the size of the organization, but a market rate of over $1 million is obscene.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I’ll try to watch myself and I’m completely open to fraternal correction, but the disclaimer that the proceeds go to the Knights cracks me up—-that’s almost more of an insult: the head of a charity gets over a million dollars a year, writes a book (which again, is a simple re write of Catholic teaching, but he’s going on a book tour with signings!!!:>) and then says “I give the proceeds back to the charity I run”—-wow, that’s generous.:> Why not send it to another charity where you get nothing in return? That would be a sincere donation. But the way he’s doing it he gets another year of a million dollar salary plus the fame of being a Catholic celebrity—why else would anyone with a modecum amount of good sense go to a book signing for a book about Catholic teaching unless the cult of the person had been promoted? Who in the world would want Carl Anderson’s signature?
I know the Knights do a good deal of good, but they need to look into the whole CEO celeb/millionaire thing, though I think it has become more of a corporate entity than what the founder had envisioned.
Capitalism, celebrity and charity: only in America do they mix in such an odd manner.
But I’m testy today…..ignore me at will. :>
April 25th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
For those who think it is wrong for people who write about religion and the Church to make money, let me ask a question: If you were a carpenter who built churches, or a painter who refurbished them, would it be wrong to be paid for your time and talent? If you are an actor who plays the part of a saint in a movie, is it bad for you to be well-paid, perhaps even get an award? I respect and admire that members of some religious orders sign their work “by a sister/brother of the Discalced Carmelites” or whatever, and make no personal money. But for those of us who haven’t taken a vow of poverty and renounced the vainglory of the world (though it might do our souls good if we did!) why is it wrong to make a living from our talents, even if we write and talk about things pertaining to religion?
April 25th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Terry,
I’m an officer in my local Knights council so I’m a little biased. The Knights take in approximately $900 million in revenue a year, most of which is from the insurance program and the investment portfolio supporting the program. Quite frankly, I don’t want to nickel and dime the person we have managing that program. I want someone up to the task and to pay him accordingly.
As for those who may ask - what exactly does the Catholic Church and America get from the $900 million we earn a year and the $1 million we pay Mr. Anderson - just one of the largest, most dedicated, and most generous charitable and fraternal group of men in the nation. We will go anywhere, at anytime, to do anything that is required to build the Church and serve our neighbor. I can say on behalf of my brother Knights, when you see a Knight, you are most likely looking at the face of Christ.
Enough said. Vivat Jesus!
April 26th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Theophilus, I’m a little biased too; my husband is a 4th degree Knight. On the local level, I can attest that they “build the Church and serve our neighbor.” (They may also enjoy a few beers in the process!)