ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 10129ProclamationTrump 45 · RCeremonial

Proclamation 10129

850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket

This proclamation commemorates the 850th anniversary of Saint Thomas Becket's martyrdom in 1170, framing his resistance to state encroachment on religious authority as foundational to religious liberty. It calls for ending religious persecution worldwide and mentions existing U.S. foreign policy efforts to promote religious freedom, but creates no new policy mandates or legal obligations.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 215

Impact dates

  1. Day proclaimed for commemoration of Saint Thomas Becket

Key directives

  • Proclaim December 29, 2020 as 850th anniversary of martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket
  • Invite people to observe with appropriate ceremonies in schools, churches, and customary places of meeting

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation of December 29, 2020 as commemorative day

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Proclamation's strong religious language and framing of church-state relations may be viewed as departing from strict neutrality on religious matters
  • Mentions of specific foreign religious figures (Cardinal Zen, Pastor Wang Yi) could carry diplomatic implications not formally binding in this document
  • Reference to 'every child—born and unborn' injects domestic abortion politics into otherwise commemorative text
Proclamation 10129: 850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket · Executive Orders