At a ceremony at the Embassy of Hungary in London on 18 January 2017 Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, on behalf of János Áder, President of Hungary, awarded the Commander’s cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary to Lord Alton of Liverpool. The award is in recognition of the supportive role he played during the UK’s festive week dedicated to St Thomas Becket hosted by the Embassy of Hungary in May 2016. It is also in recognition for Lord Alton’s championing those who are persecuted for their religion or belief.
Ambassador Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed out, that by bringing a spiritual dimension to international diplomacy the Becket week reminded us all that „when nation speaks to nation, heart must also speak to heart.” Lord Alton said in his acceptance speech that „the message and example of St Thomas Becket is still relevant some 800 years after his death and that the honour was a “great encouragement to do more” to fight for freedom of religion or belief.
