He was honored with the Canterbury medal.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York is set to receive a prestigious honor recognizing his long-standing defense of religious liberty. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty announced that Dolan will be awarded the 2025 Canterbury Medal, its highest accolade, during a gala event in New York City on May 22.
The Canterbury Medal is presented annually to individuals who exhibit outstanding dedication and courage in upholding religious freedom both in the United States and worldwide. In its announcement, Becket highlighted Dolan’s distinguished service as a key Catholic leader and former president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), where he also chaired the organization’s Committee for Religious Liberty.
For over 15 years, Dolan has led one of the most prominent Catholic communities in the nation and remains an influential figure in American religious life. Becket commended his efforts to champion the rights of faith-based organizations and individuals, regardless of denomination.
“Whether addressing Congress, engaging with the media, or guiding the Catholic faithful in New York, Cardinal Dolan has consistently stood up for the fundamental right of people to live out their beliefs openly and without fear,” Becket stated.
In response to the honor, Dolan emphasized that religious freedom is a universal human right that extends far beyond the walls of places of worship. “It’s not just about Sunday services,” he said. “It’s about ensuring every person can express and live their faith daily. This freedom is a gift from God, not something granted by the government.”
Dolan expressed his gratitude for the award and reiterated his commitment to protecting the rights of people of all religions.
Becket’s president and CEO, Mark Rienzi, described Dolan as a prominent voice in the national conversation on faith and freedom. “Cardinal Dolan has been a steadfast advocate for religious liberty, not only for Catholics but for people of all backgrounds,” Rienzi said. “His public leadership has helped shape national attitudes toward religious rights and strengthened the cause of liberty for all.”
This recognition follows Dolan’s recent appointment to President Donald Trump’s newly formed Religious Liberty Commission. The commission’s mission includes producing a comprehensive report on the historical and current state of religious freedom in the United States, identifying emerging threats, and offering policy recommendations to safeguard these rights for future generations.
President Trump directed the panel to evaluate how religious freedom contributes to American society and to recommend executive and legislative actions that would enhance these protections. Dolan’s inclusion on the commission underscores his influence in the broader conversation around religious rights.
The Canterbury Medal has previously been awarded to a variety of distinguished individuals, including former Senators Orrin Hatch and Mitt Romney, author and commentator Eric Metaxas, and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. Dolan will be the first Catholic Church leader to receive the award since then-Archbishop Charles Chaput was honored in 2009.
At the upcoming gala, Becket also plans to present its Legal Service Award to the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. The firm worked alongside Becket on Frankel v. Regents of the University of California, a case focused on combating antisemitism on college campuses.
The lawsuit targets actions by UCLA administrators who allowed anti-Israel demonstrators to create exclusion zones that allegedly barred Jewish students. Although a federal judge has since blocked the university from permitting such zones, the legal battle continues amid further claims of discriminatory treatment by the administration.