Knights of Columbus pitch their role at Symposium on Young American Men

Joseph McInerney, the chief strategy adviser and senior vice president for leader development for the Knights of Columbus, spoke about the importance of fraternal community for men at the Second Symposium on Young American Men in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25.

McInerney suggested that joining communities allows men to be their authentic selves and can help combat loneliness and isolation. He noted that men under 35 represent the fastest-growing membership segment for the Knights of Columbus. The organization currently has more than 300 active college councils, with nearly half located in the United States.

The symposium was partially sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and included other sponsors such as the Institute for Family Studies, the National Parents Organization, and the Men’s Health Network. While the event focused on public policy solutions from both Republicans and Democrats regarding challenges facing young American men in 2026, McInerney's talk addressed the social role of fraternal groups in strengthening men.