New Zealand-born and Australian based Marist priest, Fr Gerald Arbuckle, who has dedicated his life to the study and practice of anthropology, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Australian Catholic University.
Fr Gerald, who is a member of the Marist Fathers’ Hunter’s Hill community in Sydney was conferred witha Doctor of the University (Honoris Causa) on May 18.
Fr Gerald Arbuckle SM receives his ACU honorary doctorate from ACU Chancellor, Martin Daubney. PHOTO: ACU
In receiving his Honorary Doctorate, Fr Gerald reflected on the individual who influenced his distinguished vocation as an anthropologist priest.
Fr Gerald said his congregation’s superior encouraged him to study social science. This led him to being the only priest studying cultural anthropology at Cambridge University.
“When I first started anthropology, people were enormously surprised. It was a little known discipline even in Cambridge in those days. It was considered a fringe subject, of little use to economists, investors, and others in the modern world. But not now,” Fr Arbuckle said.
“Its cultural insights assist people to understand hidden forces shaping their daily life, no matter what their role is in society. This doctorate acknowledges the helpful role cultural anthropology now plays in the study of society and the Church. I am most encouraged that this has happened.”
Now, as he approaches 89, Fr Arbuckle is working on his 26 th book, an exploration of the dangers of conspiracy theories.
In his occasional address, which was read by Fr Paul Mahoney SM on behalf of Fr Gerald, the 89-year-old reflected on the cultural shock that rocked nations and millions of people, namely the COVID-19 pandemic.
He encouraged the graduands to draw inspiration from the story of “a racially despised man goes to the aid of a traveller, beaten and left half dead by bandits”, better known as the parable of the Good Samaritan.
“At the heart of this story are the values of true, respect for human rights, solidarity with the marginalised, equity, compassion, mercy, social justice. They are also the founding values of this university.”
ACU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Zlatko Skrbis, congratulated Fr Gerald on being awarded ACU’s highest honour.
“Fr Gerarld Arbuckle is a distinguished anthropologist, theologian and scholar with an international reputation,” Professor Skrbis said.
“An original thinker within Catholic scholarship, his extensive ministry as a scholarly researcher exemplifies the mission of the Australian Catholic University to pursue knowledge for the common good.
“I commend Fr Gerald on his contribution to the Australian and global community.”
This article was supplied in a media release from ACU.