PAST RECIPIENTS
Defender of Religious Freedom Award
RFI’s Defender of Religious Freedom award is given annually to an individual who, from within his or her own faith tradition, defends religious freedom for everyone, everywhere.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2024
Thomas F. Farr, served as President of the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) from its founding until January 2023.
Watch his remarks from the 2024 Defender of Religious Freedom Award Ceremony here.
Find photos and full video of the event here.
2023
Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence & Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University
Watch his remarks from the 2023 Defender of Religious Freedom Award Ceremony here.
Find photos and full video of the event here.
2022
Alan Sears, Former President and Founder of Alliance Defending Freedom
Watch his remarks from the 2022 Defender of Religious Freedom Award Ceremony here.
Find photos and full video of the event here.
2021
Carl A. Anderson, Former Supreme Knight for the Knights of Columbus
Watch his remarks from the 2021 Defender of Religious Freedom Award Ceremony here.
2020
Russell D. Moore, Former President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and current Public Theologian, Christianity Today
Watch his remarks from the 2020 Defender of Religious Freedom Award Ceremony here.
2019
Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia
* Award accepted by John Garvey
Read his remarks from the 2019 Defender of Religious Freedom Award Ceremony here.