Becket's 2026 Canterbury Medal Gala
Religious liberty has to be defended. The last 50 years have taught us not to take it for granted. We learned the high price of complacency. The Becket Fund was early to see the sinister risk our country faced, thanks to Seamus Hasson.
– William P. Mumma
As America prepares for its 250th birthday, Becket welcomed guests from across the country to Philadelphia for its 2026 Canterbury Medal Gala, the nation’s premier annual event celebrating religious liberty and recognizing those who defend it. During the evening, Becket presented the Canterbury Medal, religious liberty’s highest honor, to William P. “Bill” Mumma, Chairman of the Board of Becket, whose visionary leadership has helped Becket strengthen the cause of religious liberty for all. The Honorable Paul D. Clement, 43rd Solicitor General of the United States, delivered the evening’s keynote address.
The evening also featured a written message from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to gala attendees, praising Becket’s work of protecting religious freedom as essential to safeguarding human dignity.
More Information:
Becket’s Press Release: Faith & freedom take center stage at Becket’s 2026 Canterbury Medal Gala
Wall Street Journal: What Real Diversity Looks Like
EWTN: Pope Leo XIV commends Becket Fund for ‘noble task’ of defending religious freedom in U.S.
Daily Caller: Pope Praises American Legal Fund’s Efforts To Defend Religious Liberty
Deseret News: Senior Latter-day Saint leader calls religious freedom ‘the cornerstone of peace in a world with many competing philosophies’