Carl Anderson To Receive Inaugural Benedict Leader

BELMONT, N.C., Feb. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, has been named the first recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award. The Award, given by the Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College, will be presented in a public ceremony at Belmont Abbey College on March 24.

The Institute selected Anderson above all for his leadership in aiding and advocating for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. As Supreme Knight, Anderson has repeatedly called for the protection of Christians facing genocide in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere, and has raised more than $11 million for humanitarian relief of Christian refugees.

"While your life displays numerous reasons for being worthy of the Benedict Leadership Award, the Board wished to honor and highlight your leadership in one area in particular: Your resolute defense of persecuted Christians," wrote Executive Director Conor Gallagher in his selection letter to Anderson. "This is an area of great concern to the Board, and it is our hope that your Award will bring attention and relief to persecuted Christians and move the public to act more decisively in their behalf."

The Benedict Leadership Institute was founded in 2016 to develop and inspire Catholic leaders to transform society in light of their faith. The Benedict Leadership Award is a key activity of the Institute. The Institute will confer the Award annually beginning in 2017, recognizing outstanding men and women whose achievements reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict.

Recipients deliver a public address in their area of leadership, and are presented with a $10,000 cash award.

Belmont Abbey College, home of the Benedict Leadership Institute, is a Catholic college located near Charlotte, NC. Founded in 1876 by Benedictine monks, it is recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as one of America's top Catholic colleges.

For more information on the Benedict Leadership Institute please visit: http://benedictleadershipinstitute.org .

For media inquiries regarding the Benedict Leadership Institute, please contact Katie DeMoss at katied@SaintBenedictPress.com or (704) 340-0461. For media inquiries regarding Belmont Abbey College, please contact Rolando N. Rivas at RolandoRivas@bac.edu or (704) 461-6561.

Katie DeMoss (Benedict Leadership Institute) Rolando N. Rivas (Belmont Abbey College)