Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, was awarded the prestigious 2025 Canterbury Medal by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in recognition of his decades-long advocacy for religious freedom in the U.S. and abroad.
Newsroom (May 29, 2025, 08:15, Gaudium Press) The medal, religious liberty’s highest honor, was presented at Becket’s annual gala at The Plaza Hotel, where more than 500 guests gathered to celebrate the cardinal’s unwavering commitment to protecting faith-based rights.
Becket, also known as the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, is a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Washington with a mission to “protect the free expression of all faiths.” The firm has been highly successful in the judicial system, winning several high-profile cases, and is active in media and education.
“Our First, Most Cherished Liberty”
In his acceptance speech, Cardinal Dolan humbly acknowledged the honor while emphasizing the foundational role of religious freedom in American history.
“I hardly deserve this high award,” he said. “Yet, you are absolutely correct in recognizing my deep devotion to our first and most cherished liberty—religious freedom.”
He traced the influence of faith in shaping the nation’s moral fabric, citing abolitionism, workers’ rights, civil rights, and pro-life advocacy as movements rooted in religious conviction.
“Religion is not just a good—its freedom is a given,” he declared. “Not granted by any government, but inherent in human dignity, bestowed by God.”
A Global Witness for Faith
Reflecting on recent conversations with fellow cardinals during the papal conclave, Dolan shared that many from repressive regimes expressed admiration for America’s religious freedoms.
“Some told me, ‘We live where paranoid bullies demand absolute loyalty. Show the world there’s a better way,’” he said, drawing applause.
A Career of Advocacy
Cardinal Dolan, former president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (2010–2013) and past chairman of its Religious Liberty Committee, has long been a leading voice against government encroachment on conscience rights. His efforts include high-profile legal battles over the HHS contraceptive mandate and advocacy for persecuted minorities worldwide.
Recently appointed by former President Donald Trump to a federal Religious Liberty Commission, Dolan will help draft a report on pluralism, conscience protections, and school choice. Other Catholic leaders on the commission include Bishops Barron, Cordileone, Paprocki, and Rhoades.
“By Precept and Example”
Princeton professor Robert P. George, introducing Dolan, praised his moral leadership:
“He has lived the Gospel, advancing religious freedom and conscience rights not just in words but in action.”
Becket President Mark Rienzi drew parallels between Dolan and the organization’s namesake, St. Thomas Becket, the 12th-century archbishop martyred for defying royal overreach into Church affairs.
Legal Service Award: Fighting Campus Antisemitism
The gala also honored law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell with Becket’s Legal Service Award for its pro bono work combating antisemitism in Frankel v. Regents of the University of California.
A Legacy of Courage
the Canterbury Medal draws its name from one of history’s most dramatic religious liberty stand-offs, between the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas à Becket, the law firm’s namesake, and King Henry II of England. The archbishop was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.
As Cardinal Dolan concluded:
“I choose to be grateful—for this honor, and for all who champion the rights of believers everywhere.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from OSV
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