James Joseph Norris 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.
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 |
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.