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Bishop Kevin Manning was invited to give the occasional address at the inaugural graduation ceremony at Campion College on 5 December 2008. The ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the University of Sydney.
"As graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts, there are three qualities that should underpin your deeds," the Bishop said. "These are fearlessness in the advocacy of human dignity, love, and proclamation of the mission of Christ."
He went on to say that humility is a virtue which well becomes a graduate in the liberal arts. "This applies to Church matters as it does to all areas of life.
"Some Catholics persuade themselves that it is their mission to correct everybody else, other Catholics in particular: to develop a Church of those who are right, rather than a Church of mercy, forgiveness, compassion, justice and love.
"Alongside these Beatitudes, and leaving aside the great truths of Scripture and the Magisterium insistence on being right, often over the most trivial items, is indeed folly.
"I think it is useful knowledge to know when one makes a mistake and to apologise for it. Apology and forgiveness go hand in hand. Individuals, nations and Churches apologise and seek forgiveness. Our country's present Government apologised for the treatment of Aborigines.
"The Catholic Church made a mistake about Galileo, a pretty monumental mistake, and apologised, eventually!
"Sometimes, in the religious context, you hear it said that there is a crisis of faith. That may be, but I think there is a crisis of forgiveness, the world over.
"Without justice, there is no peace and without forgiveness there is no justice. And with forgiveness comes reconciliation, joy and peace."
To read the full text of the Bishop's speech click here.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was to have been the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony but was unable to attend. In a speech delivered on his behalf by Jason Clare MP, Member for Blaxland, the Prime Minister said there was more to higher education than simply studying for a job.
"A liberal arts education gives students the chance to develop themselves in preparation for a career, before they embark on one. Vocational training remains very important. But there's a strong argument that students benefit from a broader education before they choose a specific career. In the long run, a liberal arts education may even prove the best preparation for the jobs of the future."
Campion's Acting President, Dr David Daintree, said there was a place in Australia's higher education landscape for a college which openly examined faith and reason, the two planks of Western Christian tradition.
"In today's world, there is a need for rational thought and deep thinking, a place to re-examine priorities and to look at what is important to people in life and work," he said.
Dr Daintree encouraged employers to look at humanities graduates as a source of employees who were able to think outside the square and who would contribute more than just technical expertise.
