Activist-actor Martin Sheen will be honoured by the University of Notre Dame for his humanitarian work, the college announced yesterday.
The NUI Galway graduate starred in 'The West Wing' playing a U.S. president who was a Notre Dame graduate and he is set to receive the 'Laetare Medal' at a ceremony in the college on 18 May. President John F. Kennedy is amongst previous recipients of the award.
Talking about the famous actor, the university's president, the Rev. John I. Jenkins Sheen said: "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".
The 67-year-old has described himself as a Catholic peace activist. He has been arrested for taking part in non-violent demonstrations against various U.S. military policies.
He has donated money and time to such causes as the alleviation of poverty and homelessness, human rights for migrant workers and environmental protection.
