The OU honorary doctorate 2004

The Rivera Centre, Torquay

Lunch before the ceremony

Watch and listen to Richard's acceptance speech (200M mpg)

(LtoR: Nick Bye Mayor of Torbay, Linda Brightman, South-West Regional Director, Professor Allan Cochrane Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Rev Dr Richard Sullivan SDS, Liam Madden Honorary degree presenter, Mayoress of Torbay)

Evening meal after the ceremony

The Presentation speech:

Pro-Chancellor, members of Senate, graduates, guests.

A Japanese proverb observes: when the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends. In September 2001 hundreds of Fr Richard's friends of all faith systems and none, descended upon the village of Chew Magna near Bristol to celebrate Richard's 75th birthday, 40th anniversary of ordination and 10 years since been giving up for dead under the surgeon's knife.

60 years earlier Richard had been asked to leave his Liverpool school without qualifications and prospects but with a teachers prediction that "nothing good will ever come of him". His first job was as a chemist's assistant, making leg make-up that was used as a replacement for stockings during WW2. His fledgling scientific career was interrupted by conscription to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Richard was posted to Germany where he helped in the evacuation of the concentration camps in the Belson area. This profound experience was instrumental in confirming his decision to become a Roman Catholic Priest, a decision first contemplated at 7.

After demobilisation Richard swapped his army uniform firstly for that of a custom officer and a few years later when he joined the religious order called the Society of the Divine Saviour who like the OU, are noted for taking mature students without a conventional academic profile. The supposedly intellectually challenged Richard successfully completed his studies in Theology and Philosophy (both in Latin) prior to ordination.

Theodore Roosevelt once said "Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it". So when the newly ordained Richard was told by the Head of his order to "teach Science and get a degree" he went to Technical college by night, to learn that which he taught the next day. Richard then went on to full-time study Zoology and Psychology at Manchester University but continued to teach in the evening. Distance learning in these pre-OU years meant a daily round-trip of sixty miles. Like many here today, juggling part-time study and a full-time life he had to show tenacity and determination in order to realise the raw talent that others had over-looked.

On graduation, Richard was appointed as Chaplain and Lecturer in Psychology at Mary Ward Teacher Training College. Later placements include Birmingham Polytechnic, Aston and Keele Universities. In order to accomplish his counselling and academic duties Richard completed various part-time postgraduate courses including a Masters in Education.

Richard has maintained a military link for much of his life as a Padre in the Territorial Army for which Major Sullivan was awarded the Territorial Decoration. Richard has also been appointed as Chaplain to South Bank Polytechnic, Guys and St. Thomas's hospitals and as Parish Priest to parishes throughout the UK. He always sought the greatest challenges and always left them enriched by his time there.

There are many characteristics of Richard's ministry, but one I greatly benefited from in my student days 25 years ago was his "Open House" policy where all were welcomed with or without invitation. Richard mastered the art of making a meal feed more than the number originally planned, not quite the feeding of the 5000 but nonetheless impressive.

Richard's talents were recognised by his own religious order when he was elected as their Head. As Provincial, Richard went on to foster diverse communities from the Kadazan Tribe in Borneo to the Apaches in Phoenix an educational experience detailed in Richard's autobiography.

13 years ago, Richard was again given no prospects after major heart surgery. Yet again contrary to expert opinion Richard made a full recovery and despite being past retirement age, he is now Parish Priest for an area covering 25 villages including 3 churches near Bristol. Living on "extra-time" he continues his vocation of encouraging others to exceed their prospects.

I represent the many who are now "living their dream" as a consequence of meeting Richard. To sum up Richard, I can do no better than to quote Mother Theresa of Calcutta who said: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier”.

Pro-Chancellor by the authority of the Senate I present to you for the honorary degree of Doctor of the University, Richard Sullivan.