Bishops of Florida Recognize Jim Towey as Horkan Distinguished Catholic Leader

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The bishops of Florida have presented Jim Towey with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The Horkan Award, named in honor of the founding director of the Florida Catholic Conference, is given to Catholics “whose lives exemplify Gospel values and whose work has influenced the formation of public policies or programs that have enhanced the life of the Church, deepened respect for life, and increased respect for human dignity.” 

"Jim Towey’s accomplishments are numerous, and his experiences wide-ranging," said Michael Sheedy, FCCB execution director, during the award presentation at the annual Catholic Days at the Capitol breakfast on February 11, 2026. “Yet through every chapter of his life and career, one theme remains constant: a steadfast commitment to faith expressed through service—especially to the vulnerable—and a tireless effort to strengthen the social fabric that binds us together, in Florida and far beyond.”

An alumnus of Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Towey's public service includes four years leading the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush. He has also served the Church through higher education, spending thirteen years as president of two Catholic colleges, including Ave Maria University in Florida.

In 1996, Towey founded the nonprofit organization Aging with Dignity and currently serves as the organization’s CEO. Under his leadership, Aging with Dignity has developed resources—including the Five Wishes advance directive—to assist in end-of-life planning and recently established Assisted Suicide Watch to respond directly to that growing threat. 

Perhaps most profoundly, Towey’s life was shaped by a twelve-year relationship as legal counsel and close advisor to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

In his acceptance remarks before nearly 500 Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, Towey stated, "My friends, the reason you are here in Tallahassee, and indeed, the very reason you were born, is to be faithful, just as [Mother Teresa] was, to be witnesses to the truth the Church teaches... Today, you may not succeed in changing a single legislator’s mind, and that’s ok. You must do your part and try, and encourage others to go and do the same. God calls you to be faithful."

Towey and his wife, Mary, have five children and four grandchildren.