Bishop Michael F. Burbidge was honored with the prestigious Founders Award by Catholic International University at its 41st annual gala at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington Nov. 22.
“This is such a wonderful occasion for us to celebrate the blessing of Bishop Burbidge,” said Maria Sophia Aguirre, president of CIU. “We were born under the auspices of Bishop (Thomas J.) Welsh in response to the call to evangelization of Pope John Paul II. Because of the commitment of Bishop Welsh, Bishop (Emeritus Paul S.) Loverde and now Bishop Burbidge, we have alumni all over the world.”
Marianne Evans Mount, Aguirre’s predecessor, was president for 40 years.
“I humbly accept this award on behalf of all our priests in the Diocese of Arlington with the prayer that the university’s Catholic educational mission may nurture many more priestly vocations,” said Bishop Burbidge, in an impassioned speech to attendees, who included Bishop Mark E. Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S. “At any age, in any location, and amidst practically any circumstances, God’s people can benefit from what this university has to offer, namely the truth of the Gospel and the faith we proudly profess.”
The evening began with a convocation Mass celebrated by Bishop Burbidge at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Bishop Burbidge shook hands with six students earning a master of arts in theology, two earning a bachelor of arts in theology and one earning a graduate certificate.
“We also have an amazing prison ministry,” said CIU board member Amy Burns-Smith. Statistics indicate that more than two million lessons have been completed by incarcerated men and women. “Bishop Burbidge has been very involved,” said Burns-Smith. “The mission of this school is extraordinarily powerful.”
“I’m hoping to do another graduate program now at either Oxford or Cambridge in England,” said Matthew Michels, who received a master of arts in theology. “I am profoundly grateful for the education I received at Catholic International. The professors were wonderful, and the curriculum was very much orthodox.”
Founded in 1983 as Catholic Home Study Institute near Leesburg, its headquarters were moved to Charles Town, W.Va., in 2015. After one name change to Catholic Distance University, it became Catholic International University in January.
After retiring from a long career as a CPA, Timothy Burley decided to pursue a master of arts in theology to enhance his faith. “And now the task and the obligation is on me, to put that into action and do something with it,” said Burley. “If you have any questions about theology, CIU is a great place. It really opened to me an awareness of the spirituality of the church, and that to me is a challenge in how to manifest that in my daily life.”
“Ever dependent on Our Lord’s divine assistance and the prayers of Mary our mother, may we together courageously and creatively face the challenges of Catholic higher education in the years to come,” said Bishop Burbidge, who also serves on the university’s board of trustees. “I am so deeply blessed and honored, like all of you, to be associated with CIU and to be a participant in its mission and faithful service.”
