James J. Norris
James J. Norris | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 10, 1907 |
| Died | October 17, 1976 (aged 69) |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Education | Battin High School, Elizabeth, New Jersey St. Joseph's Preparatory Seminary, Holy Trinity, Alabama |
| Alma mater | Catholic University of America (BA) |
| Organization(s) | International Catholic Migration Commission Catholic Relief Services |
| Known for | Advocate for Migrants and Refugees |
| Awards | Nansen Refugee Award (1975) (UNHCR) James Cardinal Gibbons Medal (1967) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Naval Reserve United States Navy Armed Guard |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
James Joseph Norris (August 10, 1907 – November 17, 1976) was an American advocate for refugees and migrants. The first president of the International Catholic Migration Commission, he oversaw the assistance given to more than 200,000 migrants and refugees between 1951 and 1974.[1] A personal friend of both Pope Paul VI and later Mother Teresa, he was the first layperson to address the Second Vatican Council in 1963, where he spoke on the topic of world poverty and the Christian conscience.[2] He was also the Holy See's official representative to the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.[3] He was awarded the UNHCR's highest humanitarian award, known as the Nansen Refugee Award in 1975.
Honors and Decorations[edit]
- Papal Chamberlain of the Sword and Cape -- Holy See (Pontifical Honor conferred by Pope Paul VI, September 14, 1964)
- Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great -- Holy See (Pontifical Honor conferred by Pope Pius XII, February 11, 1947)
- Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great -- Holy See (Pontifical Honor conferred by Pope Pius XII, September 13, 1955)
- Vice Governor General of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem -- Holy See
Commander, December 16, 1969
Commander with Star, Nov. 10, 1972
Knight of the Grand Cross, Oct. 20, 1976
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) -- Fridtjof Nansen Medal/Nansen Refugee Award 1975
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany -- (Grand Cross of the Order, September 12, 1953)
- Order of Isabella the Catholic -- Spain (Knight's Cross, March 20, 1957)
- Order of Polonia Restituta: Free Polish Government in Exile (Knight Commander, July 20, 1949)
- Polish Air Force Medal, London, April 15, 1947
- Order of the Oranje-Nassau of the Netherlands (Officer -- January 14, 1964)
- Royal Order of the Phoenix -- Greece (2nd Class -- Grand Commander, 1955)
- Hellenic Red Cross -- Greece, January 3, 1958
- Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty Medal -- Budapest, Hungary 1948
- Catholic University of America -- Outstanding Achievement Award of the Alumni Association, 1961
- Catholic University of America -- Cardinal Gibbons Medal, 1967
- Marist Society of America -- Marist Award, 1967
- Catholic University of Puerto Rico -- Manso Cross Award
- Ladies of Charity -- Recognition Award, 1976
- Catholic War Veterans -- National Commander's Award
- Catholic War Veterans of New Jersey -- For Country Award, 1965
- Ancient Order of Hibernians in America -- Man of the Year Award, 1966
- Cuban Refugee Emergency Center, Miami, Florida -- Outstanding Service Citation
Honorary Degrees[edit]
- St. John's University (New York City), Doctor of Humane Letters (June 14, 1964)
- Seton Hall University, Doctor of Laws (June 5, 1965)
- Catholic University of America, Doctor of Humane Letters (June 6, 1965)
- Georgetown University, Doctor of Laws (June 5, 1967)
References[edit]
- ^ "Norris, James Joseph". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ Giovanelli, Flaminia (June 2, 2013). "La visionaria più ammirata della sua generazione" (PDF). L'Osservatore Romano (in Italian). No. CLIII, n. 125. p. 9. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Biographical Note". James J. Norris - Vatican Council II Collection. Catholic University of America. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
Sources[edit]
- "James J. Norris Papers, Honors and Decorations". James J. Norris Papers. University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
External links[edit]
- James J. Norris - Vatican Council II Collection - Biographical Note
- Norris, James Joseph (Encyclopedia.com)
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