On November 7, 2026, the Knights of Peter Claver welcomed the Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, and Father Ikenna Okagbue of St. Jude Shrine into our Noble Order. In a separate ceremony, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Alonzo Q. Cox of the Parish of St. Martin de Porres were both exemplified to the Fourth Degree. These ceremonies took place at St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church, of the Parish of St. Martin de Porres, in Brooklyn, New York.
The church named for our patron was a fitting setting. St. Peter Claver, the Jesuit priest who devoted his life to the enslaved Africans arriving in Cartagena, remains the model of the service our Order is called to give. Beneath the murals depicting his ministry, Brother Knights gathered in fellowship and prayer.
Joining Bishop Brennan, Father Okagbue and Father Cox were Father Krystian Piasta of St. Bonaventure–St. Benedict the Moor; Deacon Rodney Beckford of St. Charles Borromeo Church; Deacon Leroy Branch of Parish of St. Martin de Pores; and Deacon Victor Elijio of Our Lady of the Presentation & Our Lady of Mercy Chapel.
Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary National Officers in attendance were Grant Jones, Executive Director of our Order, and Darryl Anderson, Northern States District Deputy. To commemorate the occasion, Director Jones presented the clergy in attendance with special white and gold stoles bearing the emblems of the Order.
Representing the local Councils were Christopher Davies, Glenn Mitchell, Victor Antoine, Michael Davis, Lou Wiggs of Council 405; Ashley John, Nando Arzu and Claudel Seide of Council 412; Michael Gittins of Council 333; and Hezekiah Jackson of Council 229.
Founded in 1909 in Mobile, Alabama, the Knights of Peter Claver are the oldest and largest historically Black Catholic lay organization in the nation. These new memberships and Fourth Degree honors reflect our Order’s commitment to serve Christ by reaching out to the communities we serve. The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary stand ready to walk with every parish, family, and neighbor, whatever their background, in friendship, unity, and Christian charity.
We pray that their leadership will strengthen Claverism throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn and inspire a new generation of Catholic men to answer the call to service. Welcome, Brothers, and congratulations to our new Sir Knights!