Bomana, Port Moresby: Forty-nine students graduated from the Catholic Theological Institute (CTI) in theology and philosophy in a heart-warming ceremony on Saturday, 14th November in Bomana.
The graduation had its theme as “Put out into the Deep” and had as special guests, Bp Otto Separy, Bishop of Bereina and Dr Maxon Mani, representative from the Christian Leaders Training College (CLTC).
Dr Maxon Mani in his keynote speech articulated the first eleven verses of Mathew chapter four. Dr Mani told the graduates that in the first eleven verses Jesus encountered temptations on three areas; everyday decisions like food, longer-term decisions like education and internal decisions like who to worship.
“In all those decisions that you make, there is only one question, will God be glorified?” Mr Mani challenged the graduates. He further stated that this should be the model of our Christian lives.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limited spacing, the graduation ceremony was divided into two separate sessions. The first ceremony saw ten students graduate with a Diploma in Philosophical Studies and eighteen students merited with a Diploma in Philosophy. In the second ceremony, two students graduated with an Associated Degree in Theology while fourteen students graduated with a Bachelor of Theology and five students graduated with a Bachelor’s in Theology Research.
“I have been working hard to have this paper. I’ve had sleepless nights with personal struggles which is why I am proud of this moment. I am thankful especially to all my lecturers and above all, God for seeing me through,” said Emmanuel Dian from the Diocese of Wabag who graduated with a Bachelor of Theology.
Fr Joseph Vnuk OP, President of CTI congratulated the graduates and specified to the audience the struggles that these students had throughout their journey of education at CTI especially during the time of COVID-19.
More than a hundred people made up of family and friends gathered to witness this occasion where they all adhered to COVID-19 protocols throughout the ceremony.