ADDRESS
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Your Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia,
Your Eminences, Your Graces,
Esteemed Chancellor, the Honourable Christopher Ellison,
Reverend clergy,
Distinguished faculty,
Esteemed students, guests and precious audience,
It is a unique privilege to stand before this assembly of prominent men and women of Notre Dame University—the leadership team, its executive management, heads of schools—its staff and students, in order to receive this preeminent honorary doctorate from your prestigious Institution. We are especially honoured that such a commendation comes from an academic institution dedicated to ‘building bridges’ through its commitment, as noted in its regulations, to ‘integrate and embrace’ differences; to strengthen partnerships on a global level through joint research, so that the student experience continues to be one marked by a broad range of holistic knowledge and practice initiatives; to enhance its curriculum specifically through its addition of international components; but also, on a local level, with an intentional aim to connect with society’s most marginalised. As one whose Patriarchal tenure, for over three decades, has been especially devoted to dialogue at all levels, we take pride in congratulating your University on these admirable efforts.
