Kent Ferris, Director of Social Action and Catholic Charities for the Diocese, says she leads Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, and has been helping asylum seekers for 40 years.
"That level of care shown to immigrants is true to our particular faith tradition, and it resonates with folks of other traditions as well as people of good will. She's a remarkable model for how we are called to be welcoming of the stranger."
Pimentel is the 50th winner of the Peace and Freedom Award, joining seven recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, including one, Mother Teresa, who eventually became a saint.
Ferris says Pope Frances has recognized her for her decades of good work, and in 2020 TIME Magazine included her in a list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
"In addition to what we need to do at our border, that same level of accommodation and hospitality can be shown in the heartland. There is a phrase where they will say there are no border dioceses, we all are one."
She will received the award on April 21st, during a ceremony at Saint Ambrose University in Davenport (7 pm).
Past winners include Martin Luther King, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lech Walesa, and the Dalai Lama.
(Link to the Catholic Messenger Article) http://www.catholicmessenger.net/2022/03/serving-with-compassion-on-the-border-sister-norma-pimentel-mj-will-receive-peace-award/