Zagreb church reader wins human rights award

|PIC1|Todd Becker, an active member and reader in the Anglican church in Zagreb has been honoured with a human rights award from the Croatian Helsinki Human Rights Organisation (HHO), the oldest and largest human rights organisation in Croatia.

The award was presented by the Prime Minister of Croatia, Dr Ivo Sanader, in recognition of Mr Becker's seven years as Deputy Head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Mission to Croatia to promote and protect human rights in the country.

It is the first time the HHO has presented any of its awards to a non-Croatian citizen.

Mr Becker's work involved furthering and supporting the development of governmental and non-governmental offices, institutions and organisations to ensure human rights development. He also worked extensively to strengthen the legal framework for human rights, particularly minority rights, in Croatia.

"The award, given to me for my personal work also reflects the extensive successful work of the OSCE Mission as a whole in all of these areas," he said. "The guiding principle for all my work is the life and teachings of Jesus."

Mr Becker was born in Washington DC but has lived in Europe for most of his adult life, working for a total of 43 years in the United States diplomatic service and the OSCE.

He is also involved in the Diocese in Europe as reader in St Boniface Anglican Church in Bonn, Germany, the Anglican Church in Athens, Greece, where he was reader in charge of Kifissia chapel. For the past eight years, he has served as reader in St. Joseph's Chapel, Zagreb, Croatia - part of the chaplaincy of Vienna.

The Zagreb congregation meets at St Joseph's Chapel in the Jesuit Training Academy and is primarily made up of English speaking ex-patriots, diplomats and businesspeople.
News
Chris Pratt says Jesus is essential to his life
Chris Pratt says Jesus is essential to his life

Hollywood actor Chris Pratt continues to boldly affirm his Christian faith, most recently by naming Jesus as one of the top things he simply cannot live without. 

Cathedrals Cycle Relay concludes in Bradford after 2,000 miles
Cathedrals Cycle Relay concludes in Bradford after 2,000 miles

The 2,000-mile journey connected more than 40 cathedrals across the UK.

Four ways to change how Christians are portrayed in the media
Four ways to change how Christians are portrayed in the media

National denominations and big Christian organisations can do so much – but motivated local churches, seeking to win coverage on their doorsteps, could help transform how the Church is perceived across the country and beyond.

London resident threatens to sue council over trans display
London resident threatens to sue council over trans display

The display was made in honour of the controversial Tavistock clinic