2026 MEDAL OF HONOUR
The following points are provided for the benefits of persons making nominations.
The Medal of Honour is presented to an individual or organization whose outstanding contributions to Catholic Education merit the commendation of the entire Catholic Education community in Ontario.
The predecessor of CEFO, the Federation of Catholic Education Associations of Ontario, established an award, the Medal of Honour, first presented to Bishop J.F. Ryan in 1980. We are pleased to carry on this tradition.
CRITERIA
1. The CEFO Medal of Honour is awarded, generally annually, to a person or group whose outstanding contributions to Catholic Education in Ontario, merit the commendation of the entire Catholic Education community.
2. The award shall be for contributions specifically in and for Catholic Education or which relate directly to it.
3. Recognition is for contributions that have affected Catholic Education or its condition in a positive way in the province of Ontario. Work only in a school, a board or an Association would not qualify.
4. Recognition is for contributions made over a period of time rather than for an exceptional contribution on a single occasion.
5. A person or group is eligible to receive the Medal of Honour on one occasion only.
PROCEDURES
1. One nomination for the Medal of Honour may be made each year by a member provincial organization, a member of the Board of Directors of CEFO, the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Institute for Catholic Education, or previous recipients of the Medal of Honour.
2. Nominations shall be submitted in writing before May 14, 2026 for consideration by the Board of Directors of CEFO at the time of its Annual Meeting (the “Annual Directors’ Meeting”), at which time all nominations shall expire.
3. Nominations are to include the usual information about the nominee, a rationale for the nomination and provide information on the support for the nomination.
4. The Board of Directors will normally award one Medal of Honour each year, but in exceptional circumstances may provide two Medals in one year or not provide a Medal in a particular year.
5. The Executive Director will be responsible for relaying the decision of the Board to the chosen nominee and to each of the nominating organizations or persons.
6. The Medal of Honour will normally be presented at the Annual Fr. Fogarty Awards Dinner, but alternative arrangements may be made in extraordinary circumstances.
Medal of Honour Recipent
