Michael Reding Taylor OS 52 has been awarded the Benemerenti Medal for his service to the Catholic faith. It was presented to him by Bishop Brian McGee at a service in his home town on the Isle of Skye.
He attributes his service and dedication to his upbringing in the Catholic faith, but most of all to his having been educated by the Jesuits at Stonyhurst.
The Benemerenti Medal is an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. The medal was originally established as an award to soldiers in the Papal Army by Pope Pius VI. In 1925, the concept of awarding this medal as a mark of recognition to persons in service of the Church, civil and military, lay and clergy alike became acceptable.