Graduation Day

One of the things that I have been asked to do since I got here was to give what is called the
Religious Invocation at a graduation ceremony in the Universidad Tecnica de Panama (The Technological University of Panama). While this is a totally secular university, there is a real openness to religion among the administration and college staff who acknowledge the importance of their graduates being formed with strong values. The chaplain, Fr. Justo, is a past pupil of mine and he needed help on the day so he asked me to step in.

Over 500 young people were graduating and they were accompanied by their families and guests so I'm guessing there must have been close on 2.000 people present for the ceremony. Always, at graduation ceremonies, there is a strong sense of both joy and hope - and so there should be. These young people have worked hard and graduating is a real achievement. In fact, this particular university has a very high reputation in Panama and its graduates are welcomed all over Central America.

The graduates from this university will go on to be hydrologists, engineers of different kinds, agronomists, and experts in computing and systems analysis - these really are the people that Panama will need in the future as it tries to advance and improve the situation for its citizens.

This year, being an election year, there is a lot of talk about improving things in the country but, it has to be said, most people are at best sceptical about politicians, and, at worst, absolutely cynical. Unfortunately, the long history of official corruption (without any punishment of those involved) has created a situation in which politics is considered to be something, anything, other than public service. The young people at the graduation service will be voting, some of them for the first time - who knows what difference that young vote might make.

I was to speak for only a few minutes but it was striking to see, even with such a big crowd, how
attentive people were. I was the first speaker - there would be about 8 or 10 all together - so I discreetly withdrew and came home to the seminary: I would find it very difficult to sit in the blazing sun for what would be a ceremony that would, most likely, go on for over 4 hours.