NEW YORK – By Revekka Papadopoulou
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received an honorary degree from the University of Notre Dame and offered an address on the global challenges of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic on October 28th, in an academic convocation at the University’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart attended by Notre Dame students, faculty and staff, as well as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, local clergy, Archons and the members of the Patriarchal entourage.
Also in attendance were the newly appointed Consul General of Greece to Chicago, Manos Koubarakis, as well as, Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America, who has also received an honorary doctor of laws degree by Notre Dame, back in 2010, and the University has endowed a Chair of Byzantine Theology in his name.
The convocation was convened by Provost, Marie Lynn Miranda, and featured a concert, titled “Creation: From Adam to Salvation” performed by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir under the direction of Archon Mousikodidaskalos, Georgios Theodoridis, in honor of the Patriarch.
Notre Dame President, Rev. John I. Jenkins, welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch, saying that “in this historic day we at Notre Dame have the joy of breathing in the spirit with both lungs in the blessing of the presence of the representatives of our sister church”.
“The Ecumenical Patriarch is celebrated around the world for his commitment to interfaith dialogue, for his dedication to peace, for his defense of religious liberty, and for his support of migrants and all who are marginalized and for his witness that a crime in the name of religion is a crime against religion. Patriarch Bartholomew is especially revered for his prophetic voice on the environment which equates love of the creator with devotion to His creation”, Fr. Jenkins said.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, John Brennan, and Fr. Jenkins conferred to the Patriarch an honorary doctor of laws “in recognition of his steadfast Christian witness through three decades as the Ecumenical Patriarch, out of admiration for his contribution to all humankind and leadership in environmental protection and in the spirit of the brotherhood of the Apostles Andrew and Peter, Orthodox and Catholics”.
In his address, Patriarch Bartholomew said that he was honored to be commended “by an academic institution with demonstrated climate and energy research, with sustained environmental and social programs, as well as with passionate student involvement and commitment”.
Both crises, he said, present not only an unprecedented problem, but an unparalleled opportunity – and that the role of the Church becomes paramount.
“It is an important but humbling lesson that the Church has learned during this time: Namely, that religion must function and serve in connection with – and never in isolation from – science”, Bartholomew said adding that “faith alone will not overcome the problems of our time, but the challenges of our time will certainly not be overcome without faith. Research and medicine are gifts from God; they supply answers to the question ‘how?’ Faith and theology are also gifts from God; they provide responses to the question ‘why?’”.
Patriarch Bartholomew also spoke of the “ecumenical imperative” of the Church’s response, stating that faith leaders are called to cooperate with leaders in the scientific and academic worlds, as well as the corporate and political domains and stated that he applauds efforts to add a clear definition of “ecocide” to international law.
The convocation concluded with a benediction from the Ecumenical Patriarch and the singing of “Notre Dame, Our Mother” by the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir.
