Bernadette Smyth receives prestigious Michael Bell award
(08/09/2014) Bernadette Smyth, founder and director of Precious Life, in Northern Ireland, was honoured on Saturday 6th September 2014, with the Michael Bell Memorial Award, which was presented by the International Alliance of Catholic Knights at an award ceremony in Dublin.
The Order of the Knights of St Columbanus a member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights, nominated Mrs Smyth for this prestigious award. The International Judging Panel chose Bernadette Smyth from a number of nominations from different countries.
The International Alliance of Catholic Knights brings together fifteen Orders, working in twenty-six countries throughout the world who all share the same commitment to the service of Christ, and all are deeply committed to promoting the principle of the right to life of every human being from the moment of conception until natural death. It was in pursuance of this commitment that in 1992 the Alliance decided to seek out and recognise outstanding initiatives in defence of the Right to Life being taken by organisations and individuals throughout the world by instituting the international award, ‘Initiatives for Life’.
Mr Nial Kennedy Secretary General told those present that the award was named the “Michael Bell Memorial Award” in honour of a man who gave heroic service to the Right to Life movement during his lifetime and whose influence and example spread to many parts of the world. Michael Bell was a lawyer and devoted himself to the protection of human life by prayer and action. It was the great number of outstanding initiatives for life that Michael undertook during his lifetime which inspired the International Alliance to institute this award to identify and recognise new initiatives constantly being taken in defence of human life.
Mr Kennedy went onto say that it was their particular privilege this year to be presenting the award to a recipient from Ireland who has worked tirelessly for this great cause for life.
The award was presented to Bernadette by Supreme Knight Bernard J Burns who congratulated her on her achievement and for her powerful and passionate leadership in promoting the cause of the unborn in Ireland. He also assured her of their ongoing support and prayers in her continued efforts in defending life.
On receiving the award Bernadette said, “I am very humbled and honored to be receiving this prestigious award from the International Alliance of Catholic Knights and would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the Knights of St Columbannus in Ireland for the nomination!” I also want to assure everyone that I will continue in my mission to promote a culture of life not only in Ireland but throughout the world.