Annual Vianney Lecture

The Centre for the Study of the Western Tradition at Campion College warmly invites you to the 2026 Vianney Lecture, presented by Fr Sean Byrnes.

Topic – Christ our Redeemer: A Christological Response to Pornography

Much has been written on pornography, rightly focusing on its cultural effects, intrinsic immorality, and addictive potential; yet comparatively little theological examination has been offered. Building on Dr Matthew Tan’s A Theological Engagement with Pornography, Fr Byrnes will examine pornography’s allure as a counterfeit soteriology, promising fulfilment while leading people away from reality. He will then show how Christology and Soteriology reveal Christ, our true Redeemer, drawing the human person from fantasy into reality and offering concrete steps towards restoration.

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The Centre for the Study of the Western Tradition (CSWT) seeks to encourage critical reflection and research on the history, literature, languages, philosophy and theology that characterise Western civilisation and culture, in order to raise the profile of these vital disciplines in Australian tertiary education. These integrated humane studies evolved from the classical and medieval Liberal Arts, including European, Græco-Roman, Byzantine and Near Eastern traditions. They remain an essential key to a rich understanding of Australian culture and society, including our ideals of democracy, our Enlightenment heritage, our Christian-oriented past, our multi-cultural identity, and the classical underpinnings of our education.