QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 08/07/08 -- Delegates to the annual international convention of the Knights of Columbus today adopted a resolution calling for "legal and constitutional protection... for the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others." The convention is being held in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

The resolution declares that "marriage is a natural institution based on ancient human values that have evolved over time into a unique and deeply rooted social, legal and religious institution," and that it "reflects the natural biological complementarity between man and woman which predates the state and which is woven into the social and religious fabric of every major culture and society."

Marriage between man and woman "provides the most favorable environment in which to protect the rights and the best interests of children," the resolution stated.

Convention delegates adopted resolutions dealing with other public policy issues as well, including building a culture of life, religious liberty, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, decency on the Internet and in the media, Catholic education, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The texts of all the resolutions can be found at: http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/convention_2008/resolutions/index.html

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest organization of Catholic laymen. It was founded in 1882, and has more than 1.75 million members in North and Central America, Asia and Europe.