Joseph Pearce Inspires Audiences in Sydney and Melbourne with Reflections on Literature and Faith

Campion College was honoured to welcome acclaimed Catholic author and speaker Joseph Pearce for a captivating public lecture on campus on Monday the 5th of May. This was followed by a public lecture on Wednesday the 7th of May at St Peter’s Parish Centre in Toorak, Melbourne, as part of his 2025 speaking tour in Australia.

The Sydney talk drew a crowd of students, staff and guests eager to hear Joseph speak on the topic of “Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know.” Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Western literature and theology, Joseph explored how great works of fiction illuminate divine truths and the nature of God’s love.

“We see throughout the history of literature two diametrically opposed understandings of love,” Joseph said. “There is God’s love - rational, self-sacrificial and rooted in the free choice to lay down one’s life for the beloved. And then there is the other love, rooted in selfish gratification and disordered desire.”

Using examples from classical and modern works including Homer’s Odyssey, Sophocles’ Antigone, Virgil’s Aeneid, Shakespeare’s King Lear, and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Joseph highlighted how literature reveals both the beauty of virtue and the tragedy of vice.

“A true lover, like Penelope in the Odyssey, waits in faithful hope. A false lover, like Dido in the Aeneid, succumbs to passion and ends in despair,” Joseph explained. “In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, we see the triumph of mercy over vengeance, the transformative power of self-giving love.”

He also examined literary depictions of self-sacrificial love in light of Christian theology, noting how Tolkien’s hobbits, particularly Frodo and Sam, mirror Christ-like figures: “The ring is a symbol of sin when worn, it severs one from the good world and grants power at the cost of the soul. Frodo’s journey from Rivendell to Mount Doom, beginning on December 25 and ending on March 25, reflects the life of Christ from birth to crucifixion.”

The topic in Melbourne was “God’s Love and Great Literature” and explored similar themes for a new audience. Though the talks differed slightly in focus, both captivated attendees with Joseph’s signature blend of literary insight, theological depth, and wit.

Campion College President Dr Paul Morrissey reflected on the significance of Joseph’s visit: “Joseph is, in many ways, a walking liberal arts curriculum. His presence here reaffirms what Campion is all about, seeking wisdom through the integration of faith, reason and the literary imagination.”

The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Hartford College.

Joseph’s visit forms part of Campion College’s ongoing commitment to fostering rich intellectual and spiritual engagement through public lectures and events. If you would like to receive notification regarding other speakers, please email foundation@campion.edu.au