Message from Archbishop Fisher

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Sydney University! As a graduate of Sydney University I know personally the privilege of studying at this university. Many of you commence your studies this year while others continue their undergraduate degrees or begin a postgraduate one.

University life is an exciting adventure. It is a God-given opportunity to set aside some years, often early in life when we are most idealistic and most questioning, to study and ponder the the big questions in life (what is the meaning of life? how do I live a good life? is there a God? is there truth? and so on). It is also a time dedicated to learning technical skills and knowledge to set oneself up for a career or profession. Just as important are the opportunities that university study presents to make new friends and discover new ideas and perspectives.

University presents a wonderful opportunity to grow in wisdom and virtue. When the Catholic Church founded the first universities, their efforts and various fields of study were ultimately directed at the pursuit of wisdom and the contemplation of God. The Catholic intellectual tradition sees no opposition between faith and reason, theology and philosophy, science and religion. It considers that the truth found in all disciplines – from something technical like Vet Science to the study of philosophy – reflects something of the Divine Truth that is God.

While you study, I encourage you to pursue wisdom and contemplate God in the truth of things that you study. Openness to the transcendent and the pursuit of wisdom and virtue are essential if we are to find true happiness and become the saints God wants us to be. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has encouraged all young people to open their hearts to God:

“In an age when we are constantly being enticed by vain and empty illusions of happiness, we risk settling for less and ‘thinking small’ when it comes to the meaning of life. Think big instead! Open your hearts!”[1]

University presents a wonderful opportunity to develop rich and fulfilling friendships. At university, you will meet many new people from a variety of backgrounds who hold many diverse beliefs. Do not be afraid of getting to know them and learning from others. Don’t be content however to give into peer pressure, follow the crowd and do something you know to be wrong. God loves you and has made you with incalculable dignity and worth. Discern who your true friends are and how best to spend your time (don’t forget to study!). Remember, good friendships at university will last a lifetime.

Whether university is exciting or daunting (or most likely both), the Catholic Chaplaincy and the Catholic Society of St Peter is there to accompany you on your journey. They exist to help you grow your faith, to meet others and form strong friendships, to face trials with confidence and be equipped intellectually and spiritually to bear witness to Christ in an often hostile context. Daily Mass, prayer, work with the underprivileged, study courses, retreats, social gatherings and simple day-to-day fellowship are available to all who wish to participate. I encourage you to get involved – they exist for you! For a list of opportunities to be involved on your campus please look through this website.

I pray that your time of study will be a period of personal spiritual growth, a time in which you learn, grow in wisdom and virtue, make lasting friends and come to know the God of Wisdom and Love more profoundly.

Yours sincerely in Christ,


Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP, DD BA LlB BTheol DPhil
Archbishop of Sydney