Papal award

Bishop Kagan has announced diocesan attorney, Tom Bair, as the recipient of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice—among the highest honors the Holy Father can confer on laypeople, deacons and religious. The award, from the Holy See, translates to “for Church and Pope.”
 
Bair, a Mandan resident, recently retired as the diocesan attorney after 34 years of faithful and competent service to this local Church. Tom attended the University of North Dakota Law School in Grand Forks and had been practicing law for 40 years before retiring. He and his wife, Jackie, and family are faithful, devout Catholics and are members of St. Joseph’s in Mandan.

Speaking of Tom’s service to the diocese, Bishop Kagan stated, “In his capacity as the diocesan attorney, he assisted on numerous boards and led several projects which have helped improve the structures of the diocese and have enabled the local Church to respond adequately to legal inquiries.”
 
Bair served under three bishops of the Bismarck Diocese. “His advice and counsel have been invaluable to me and the diocese as a whole,” expressed Bishop Kagan in the nomination letter to the Apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C.
 
The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is given for distinguished service to the Church by lay people and clergy. It is the highest honor that can be awarded to laity by the pope. The award, established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, means “For Church and Pope” in Latin. The diocesan bishop petitions the Holy See with the name and biographical information of the person whom he wishes to receive the award.
 
Bishop Kagan presented Bair with the award at the diocesan finance council meeting on Sept. 25 at the Center for Pastoral Ministry. The certificate, inscribed in Latin, and translates to: “The Supreme Pontiff Leo XIV has deigned to decree and lavishly bestow upon the well-deserved Mr. Thomas Bruce Bair the golden Benemerenti medal which has been instituted for distinguished service to the Christian cause granting him the faculty of wearing this medal. The gold cross of the medal depicts the Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul with the inscription Pro Ecclesia (For Church) on the left and Et Pontifice (And Pope) on the right. The medallion’s ribbon is yellow and white, the colors of the papacy.

—Staff report