Charleston priest honored with Knights of Columbus' top chaplain award

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Rev. Fr. Robert 'Bob' Higgins, a longtime priest of the Diocese of Charleston and state chaplain for the South Carolina Knights of Columbus, has received the 2026 Blessed Michael McGivney Medal, one of the organization's highest honors for clergy. The award was presented Aug. 3 during the 144th Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Aurora, Colorado. Established in 2024, the medal is awarded annually to a priest who exemplifies the faith, service and leadership of Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. Higgins is only the third priest worldwide to receive the honor. READ MORE | A History of the Diocese of Charleston: State of Grace A priest of the Diocese of Charleston for more than two decades, Higgins has served as state chaplain for the South Carolina State Council for 19 consecutive years. His ministry has included service as chaplain to veterans in VA hospitals, chaplain to the Charleston Port Authority and the Diocese of Charleston's first vicar of prisons, where he ministered to inmates in federal, state and county correctional facilities across South Carolina. Higgins also has been active in Hispanic ministry, helping establish Charleston's first Catholic Hispanic community and expanding outreach efforts in Anderson. He is a member of Fr. Francis A. Friend Council No. 8295 in Anderson and Rev. P. N. Lynch Assembly No. 1071 in Charleston. He currently serves as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Columbia. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has released a video highlighting Higgins' ministry titled, 'Blessed Michael McGivney Medal Award Winner: Father Robert Higgins — A Shepherd's Heart of Service.'