OPINION: The Historic Encounter between Science and Religion

THE POPE SPEAKS TO ASTRONAUTS

NAIROBI, May 27 2011. -Saturday 21, May 2011 will go down into history books as the day of the greatest historic encounter between Science and Faith / Religion in modern times!

On this day, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the crew of astronauts at the International Space Station!

All voices, in an article: Pope Talks to Astronauts in Space, reported thus, Pope Benedict XVI, has broken ground here on earth, now he has entered where no Pope has gone – space. Astronaut Mark Kelly, aboard the International Space Station received a visitation by the Pontiff via satellite. The Chat from Pope Benedict marks a historic event; the first time that a Pontiff has linked-up in space.

The Vatican was connected with the International Space Station, Kelly, his five-man crew and six station residents.

The conversation between the Pontiff and the astronauts revealed to the world the unity between science and religion. From the article: The Pope blesses astronauts in 1st papal call to space, by Associated Press, we read, Benedict told the space travelers that ‘You are our representatives spearheading humanity’s exploration of new spaces and possibilities for our future.’…

Space station astronaut Ronald Garan Jr Spoke of the paper-thin layer of atmosphere ‘that separates every living thing from the vacuum of space.’ And shuttle crewman Fincke described how he and his colleagues ‘can look down and see our beautiful planet Earth that God has made.’…

Benedict expressed concern for astronaut Paolo Nespoli, whose 78-year-old mother died…while he was serving on the space station. ‘How have you been living through this time of pain on the International Space Station?’ The Pope asked. ‘Holy Father, I felt your prayers and everyone’s prayers arriving up here…’

This is a memorable event that has repaired and settled once and for all, the misunderstanding and conflict between Galileo and the Catholic Church. It cements the apologies already offered by the late John Paul II on this matter. In addition, it opens a new era in the relationship between religion and the scientific community.

But it is important to remember that apart from isolated incidents, which sometimes are exaggerated, the Catholic Church has never been hostile to science. And the Pontifical Academy of Sciences through its members and the Vatican Observatory have made a lot of contribution to scientific and technological developments.

The list of these members who are from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds is long but just to mention a few: Fr Georges Lemaître (1894-1966) the father of the Big Bang theory, was the President of this Pontifical Academy from 1960 to his death in1966, American Charles H. Towens, Nobel Physics prize 1964, Israel’s Aaron Ciehanover Nobel Chemistry prize 2004, German Gerhard Ertl Nobel Chemistry prize 2007, Egyptian Ahmed Zewail Nobel Chemistry prize 1999, etc.

It should also be remembered that the Vatican Observatory is one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world! In 1993 its modern 1.8 metres Advanced Technology Telescope was completed at Mount Graham in Arizona USA.

One source says, Given its excellent optical qualities, the telescope has been used primarily for imaging work, in which it regularly out performs much larger telescopes located elsewhere. Among the notable results from this telescope has been the discovery of MACHOs in Andromenda Galaxy. (MACHO stands for Massive Astrophysical Compact Halo Object.)

The long list of priests who have greately contributed to the development of science and advancement of technology also testifies to the fact that the Church has not always been hostile to science as some people think.

This list includes:
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) Apart from being a Catholic cleric he was a mathematician, astronomer and a physician. He is the father of modern astronomy.

Fr Nicolas Steno (1638-1686) He is considered the father of geology.

Fr Francesco Maria Grimaldi SJ (1618-1663) He was a mathematician, physicist and astronomer. The Crater Grimaldi on the moon is named after him!

Fr Giovanni Battista Riccioli SJ (1598-1671) He was an astronomer. He was the first person to measure the rate of acceleration of free falling body.

Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-1884) He was and Augustinian monk. He is the undisputed father of the genetic sciences.

Apart from Galileo Galilee, other devout Catholic lay people have also contributed greatly to the development of science and technology.

These include:
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) a convert to Roman Catholicism, he is one of the greatest minds of all time! He was a mathematician, physicist, astronomer and philosopher. He invented the calculator.

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) He was a great biologist. He is the inventor of pasteurization.

Both science and religion/faith are gifts of God to the human family. Moreover, I find it very interesting that even the Bible itself, written many centuries before the age of our modern science, has room for natural science!

In the book of Sirach, we read the following, Honour physicians for their services, for the Lord created them; for the gift of healing comes from the Most High, and they are rewarded by the king. The skills of physicians make them distinguished. The Lord created medicine out of the earth and the sensible will not despise them. (Sir. 38:1-4)

Pope Benedict’s approach to science is in total agreement with the scriptures! And in my opinion he, more than any other pontiff has invested a lot of energy in bridging the gap between science and faith.
As we have two bodily eyes at the physical level, we also have two eyes at the spiritual level, one eye is science and another faith; both looking at one and the same reality but from different perspectives. To have a better perspective of reality, both eyes are needed!

Dominic Vincent Nkoyoyo
Monastery Val Notre-Dame, Canada.