Fr. Andrzej Kukła CSsR, a member of the Province of Warsaw, was granted the medal and the award for the Best Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus in Poland at the XIII State Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Poland, held from 19 to 20 May in Licheń (Poland). This medal was awarded for the first time to the Polish Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus.
The Convention was attended by delegates of Councils from all over Poland, representing over 7000 Knights of Columbus in Poland. The previous Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson and his wife were the guest of honour. During the Convention, awards were presented for the previous fraternal year. Among the awardees is Fr. Andrzej Kukla CSsR, who seven years ago founded the 17050 Knights of Columbus Council named after St Clement in Warsaw.
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly visits the Mercy Center last year. 
Knights of Columbus with volunteers preparing parcels for the needy in Ukraine. 
A group of children who have benefited from the support offered by the Mercy Centre.
The State Council of the Knights of Columbus in Poland appreciated the significant contribution of Father Andrzej and the Knights of Warsaw in helping the Ukrainian Refugees. In particular, it recognized the creation of the Mercy Center Oratory in March 2022 at the Redemptorist parish in Warsaw. The Centre supports more than 100 children fleeing war with their mothers from Ukraine who have found refuge in Warsaw. It is worth noting that Poland has become the new home for more than 2 million Ukrainian war refugees. The Knights, led by Fr. Andrzej, prepared more than 2,400 Christmas parcels of 10 kg each and sent them to the frontline in Ukraine. Last year, the Centre hosted, among others, Cardinal T. Dolan from New York and Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly from New Haven, CT (USA), who were visiting Poland.
Fr. Andrzej Kukla, doctor of canon law and lecturer at the University of Lugano, Switzerland, moved to Rome in March of this year and began working in the General Curia of the Redemptorist Congregation as an assistant to the Procurator General.
Scala News asked Fr. Andrzej to comment on how he feels having accepted the recognition. Here is how he responded:
Scala News
