MARTIN SHEEN - SHEEN TO RECEIVE NOTRE DAME HONOUR

SHEEN TO RECEIVE NOTRE DAME HONOUR

Actor and human rights campaigner MARTIN SHEEN is to be honoured by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of his philanthropy. The former West Wing star, 67, will follow in the footsteps of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy when he receives the prestigious Laetare Medal on 18 May (08). The accolade is awarded each year to a Catholic "whose genius has enabled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity." The university's president, Reverend John I. Jenkins, says, "He has used that celebrity to draw the attention of his fellow citizens to issues that cry out for redress, such as the plight of immigrant workers and homeless people, the waging of unjust war, the killing of the unborn and capital punishment."