Leslie Lever, Papal Honour, 1960

Alderman Leslie Lever, the Jewish Member of Parliament for Ardwick from 1950 until 1970, had a long association with St Gregory’s. In May 1960, it was announced that Pope John XXIII was to make him a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory. The recommendation for his admission to the order, one of the highest in the Catholic Church, originally came from the Bishop of Salford, the Right Rev. G.A. Beck, who phoned Mr Lever with the news. 

A spokesman for the bishop said at the time: “It is extremely rare for this honour to be conferred on a non-Catholic. I know of no other non-Catholic in the Salford diocese who has been admitted to the order, and I have no personal knowledge of one anywhere else, though I believe there are a few.”

The honour was awarded in recognition of the work Alderman Lever had done for Catholics as an MP and as a member of the Manchester City Council for many years. In 1957-58, he was Lord Mayor of the city and worked tirelessly on behalf of its citizens, attending a record number of public engagements.

Speaking at the time, as news of the award was announced, Alderman Lever said: “I am very proud to accept [the papal award]. It indicates and emphasises a spirit of tolerance in the world, which could well be multiplied.

“I can only imagine the Pope has honoured me in this way for my work in connection with denominational schools, with which I have always had a passionate interest.

“I stress the denominational side because all denominations have been included, whether Catholic, Protestant or Jewish. 

“I am most proud that this signal honour has been conferred on me. It is an honour not only for me but for Manchester.”

The award was made to Alderman Lever in July 1960 at the annual Speech Day at the Free Trade Hall, where the Bishop of Salford invested him as a Knight. Prior to this, Alderman Lever had visited Rome where he not only met the Pope but was also measured up by the Pope’s tailors for the ceremonial uniform that accompanied the award.