Contact: Jennifer Kerns, Protect Marriage, 916-446-2956

SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Proposition 8, the ballot initiative to Protect Marriage, announced today it has received a $1 million contribution from the Knights of Columbus, the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization.

Throughout its history, the Knights of Columbus has been an effective advocate and defender of civil and religious rights for all. The organization has also contributed billions of dollars and millions of hours of volunteer service to charity.

Knights of Columbus spokesman Patrick Korten said that the million dollar donation from the Knights "is both an indication of how important we believe this referendum to be, and an encouragement to other groups and individuals of all faiths to lend their support as well. From the day the organization was founded 126 years ago, strengthening and protecting the family has always been central to the mission of the Knights of Columbus. Preserving marriage as the indispensable institution in which children are conceived, born and raised to adulthood by a loving father and mother is vital to a healthy society. It is also the most favorable environment in which to protect the rights and best interests of children. We are proud to join the Catholic bishops and priests of California, and so many other people of good will, in this effort on which so much depends."

The Knights of Columbus includes more than 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and other areas.

"This generous donation from the Knights of Columbus shows the broad-based support that Protect Marriage is receiving from a variety of faith-based organizations," said Ned Dolejsi of the California Catholic Conference. "Proposition 8 is honored to have the support of an esteemed organization who has such a strong record of public service and success."

For more information, visit www.ProtectMarriage.com.