Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was awarded with an honorary doctorate by the University of Notre Dame Australia in what is the latest recognition he has received during his historic visit to Australia.
The Patriarch was given the honour in recognition of his inspiring work to unify contemporary society, receiving it during a special ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Tuesday night.
It marks the second honorary doctorate conferred on Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit, having also received one from the St. Andrew’s Theological School of the Archdiocese of Australia on Saturday.
Notre Dame’s Chancellor, Christopher Ellison, expressed his immense pleasure in honouring the Patriarch’s work.
“His All-Holiness’s religious leadership in fostering and deepening dialogue among believers serves as a beacon of hope,” Ellison said.
“He plays a unique role in promoting unity among all Christians, and between humanity and nature.”
Patriarch Bartholomew heaped praise on Notre Dame for its commitment to bridge-building, integrating and embracing differences and offering its students both global and local experiences to facilitate outreach to the most marginalised members of society.
“We are always in closer proximity to each other in more ways than we are distant from or different to one another,” the Patriarch said.
“There is incomparably more than we share with each other and resemble one another than what may separate us if only we begin to see the other with new eyes.”
