15 Facts About James Knox

James Robert Knox GCC was an Australian prelate of the Catholic Church.

James Knox's father was a storekeeper and native of Kilkenny, and his mother died when Knox was still a child.

James Knox worked as a tailor's apprentice before applying to the Archdiocese of Perth to study for the priesthood.

James Knox was instead accepted at the Benedictine abbey in New Norcia, completing his secondary education at St Ildephonsus' College and entering the abbey's seminary in March 1936.

James Knox was ordained a priest on 22 December 1941 by Cardinal Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, the congregation's prefect.

James Knox pursued his postgraduate studies, earning doctorates in theology and canon law.

James Knox joined the Vatican diplomatic corps a staff member of the Secretariat of State in 1948, serving under Giovanni Battista Montini.

James Knox worked in the English section of Vatican Radio.

On 20 July 1953, James Knox was appointed Apostolic Delegate to British Africa and titular archbishop of Melitene by Pope Pius XII.

James Knox participated in the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and helped organize Pope Paul VI's visit to India in December 1964.

On 13 April 1967, James Knox was appointed to succeed Justin Simonds as the fifth Archbishop of Melbourne, despite the fact he had not lived in Australia for 30 years and had no direct pastoral experience.

James Knox reorganised the structure of the archdiocese, establishing four regions headed by auxiliary bishops, the creation of 12 archdiocesan departments headed by episcopal vicars, as well as the establishment of a Senate of Priests and other advisory bodies.

James Knox was created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella by Pope Paul VI in the consistory of 5 March 1973.

James Knox was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the conclaves of August and October 1978, which selected Popes John Paul I and John Paul II, respectively.

James Knox's health began to decline the following year, and in May 1983 he suffered a stroke and collapsed during a meeting at the Vatican.