Gonzaga University Under Fire for Banning Knights of Columbus Club

A Catholic university is refusing to allow students to form a Knights of Columbus chapter because you have to be Catholic to join.

The organization only permits those of the Catholic faith to join and university officials say that discriminates against its diversity policies.

Todd Starnes of Fox News has been following this story, which hasn't garnered much attention because it was understandably overshadowed by the school's No. 1 NCAA Basketball Tournament seed.

For about a year, male students have wanted to start a chapter of the Knights of Columbus, but according to reports, the school has been less than helpful. According to Sue Weitz, the school's vice-president for student life:

These criteria are inconsistent with the policy and practice of student organization recognition at Gonzaga University, as well as the University’s commitment to non discrimination based on certain characteristics, one of which is religion.

Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, says the Knights are a Catholic organization legitimately designed for men only. The organization, which dates back over 130 years in the U.S., is made up of Catholic men who participate and lead a wide variety of community and church service projects, including charitable work.

The uproar has become so widespread, Gonzaga's president Thayne McCulloh said the university will review the decision.