2002

~ USMC HONORS ~

SUNSET PARADE
(Iwo Jima Memorial - Washington DC)

Chaplian O'Connor's love and admiration of the Marine Corps was well known. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for service with Marines in Vietnam.  Chaplain O'Connor, by his dedication and service, was the epotome of the current Chaplain Corps mission statement:
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'Devoted to God and Country, we unite to deliver innovative, life-transforming service throughout and beyond the Sea Services'
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MORE INFORMATION

2000

~ JACKIE ROBINSON ~

  Jackie Robinson Empire State Medal of Freedom Award
for his lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to the poor and powerless.
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"John Cardinal O'Connor was a man of dignity, understanding and compassion; a champion for the poor and the powerless. Throughout his long life of service to God and to his fellow man, His Eminence held fast to his spiritual course and to his demand for justice. He was a man who earned the deepest respect of every person he touched, from those occupying the highest offices to the lonely, frail and dying he so often sought out to comfort. Even those who disagreed with him revered him. He will be forever remembered as New York's Cardinal, a man of justice and of love."

COMMENTS BY GOVERNOR GEORGE E PATAKI

March 2000

~ CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ~
 
“Priest, Chaplain, Humanitarian"
 
 'The Best Is Yet to Be'
Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:  Our times are in His hand
Who saieth, "A whole I planned, Youth shouts but half;
trust God: see all, nor be afraid!"
Robert Browning

I have come to understand these famous words of Robert Browning with a profundity that I could never have imagined in my youth. How would I have known that after eight decades the best is yet to be!

On Monday of this week I was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. Imagine the surprise of a kid from Philadelphia being awarded such a prestigious honor from the Congress of the United States. This kid from Philadelphia could never have imagined in his youth that he would one day be a priest for more than 55 years, a bishop, an archbishop and a cardinal. This kid from Philadelphia could never have imagined that he would spend 27 wonderful years proudly wearing the uniforms of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually attain the rank of Rear Admiral. But, it happened.   John Cardinal O'Connor

COMPLETE ADDRESS   -   HOUSE VOTE   -   US MINT
COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT BUSH

March 25 2000

~ DOCTOR of  HUMANE LETTERS~

 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY - DC

In recognition of his zeal for principle, his compassion and love for all persons, his proclamation of the Gospel of Life, and his unique drive, energy and commitment to the Church of Christ, summarized in his armorial motto, "There can be no love without justice," The Catholic University of America is proud to confer upon His Eminence, John Joseph Cardinal O’Connor, the degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

CITATION

May 4 1998

~ HONORARY DOCTORATE ~

 HEBREW UNION COLLEGE - JEWISH INSTITUTE OF RELIGION - NY

In presenting the degree, President Zimmerman welcomed Cardinal O'Connor "as the first Prince of the Church to receive the College-Institute's Doctor of Humane Letters and address the College-Institute." President Zimmerman praised Cardinal O'Connor's "contributions to building bridges of understanding among the diverse religious communities and efforts leading to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the State of
Israel and the Holy See."

HEBREW UNION COLLEGE

~ QUOTES ~

... a prism for the brilliant divine light ...
So, what was so great about Cardinal O’Connor that would justify such accolades? Shortly after the Cardinal’s death Bishop James McCarthy, his former secretary, suggested the apt metaphor of the Cardinal as a prism. A prism appears to be the source of a brilliant array of color. Upon examination, however, one learns that it is merely an instrument that converts invisible light from the sun into the visible rainbow. Similarly, Cardinal O’Connor functioned as a prism for the brilliant divine light. And, while firmly rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, Cardinal O’Connor’s concern for others was by no means limited to his own Church.
from  "A HOYA FOR ALL SEASONS"   By Stephen M. Feiler

... extraordinary measure of wit ...
 "He was a champion of the poor, the immigrant, the sick and the unborn, and he spoke and acted on their behalf with eloquence, vigor and an extraordinary measure of wit." Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza (Galveston/Houston) president of the NCCB

~ SCRIPTURE ~

 

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