Martin Sheen to get top Catholic honour

      Hollywood star Martin Sheen, who is also known for his work as a political activist, is to receive a top Catholic honour from a prestigious U.S. university.

      The 67-year-old actor will be honoured by Indiana's University of Notre Dame with its Laetare Medal.

      The University, which is based in South Bend, has announced it will present Sheen, who played U.S. President Josiah Bartlet who graduated from Notre Dame in the TV series The West Wing, with the medal at its May 18 commencement.

      Since 1883, the Laetare Medal has been awarded annually to a Catholic "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."

      Past award winners include former President Kennedy, former Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan and former U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. 'Tip' O'Neill.

      The Rev. John I. Jenkins, president of the university, said Notre Dame welcomes the chance to highlight how Sheen has used his recognition as an actor to help others.

      Jenkins 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. We welcome the opportunity to lift up his example for our church, our country, and our students."

      Sheen, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was raised by politically conscious, working-class parents of Irish and Spanish heritage.

      He has said he developed a concern about social justice early on. He describes himself as a Catholic peace activist.

      Sheen has been arrested for taking part in non-violent demonstrations against various U.S. military policies. He also has donated money, time and his celebrity to such causes as the alleviation of poverty and homelessness, human rights for migrant workers, and environmental protection.

      In 2006 Sheen took time off from acting to become a student at the National University Galway in western Ireland, where he studied philosophy, English literature and oceanography as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree.