James Johnston Navagh (April 4, 1901—October 2, 1965) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Ogdensburg (1957-1963) and Bishop of Paterson (1963-1965).
James Navagh was born in Buffalo, New York, to George and Catherine Navagh.[1] He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Canisius College, and a Master of Arts from Niagara University.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1929.[2] He then served as a curate at Holy Cross Church in Buffalo until 1937, when he became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Brant.[1] He was named the first director of the Missionary Apostolate of the Diocese of Buffalo in 1939, and served as pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Fredonia from 1940 to 1942.[1]
On July 29, 1952, Navagh was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Titular Bishop of Ombi by Pope Pius XII.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 24 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Raymond Augustine Kearney and James H. Griffiths serving as co-consecrators.[2] Returning to his native New York, he was named the seventh Bishop of Ogdensburg on May 8, 1957.[2] After five years in Ogdensburg, he was appointed to succeed James A. McNulty as the fourth Bishop of Paterson, New Jersey, on February 12, 1963.[2]
Navagh died from a heart attack in Rome while attending the Second Vatican Council, aged 64.
| Preceded by Walter P. Kellenberg |
Bishop of Ogdensburg 1957—1963 |
Succeeded by Leo Richard Smith |
| Preceded by James A. McNulty |
Bishop of Paterson 1963—1965 |
Succeeded by Lawrence B. Casey |