Pope wades back into debate on "seductive" science
J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*
Mon 28 Jan 2008, 14:54 GMT
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict warned on Monday of the "seductive" powers of science that relegate man's spirituality, reviving the science-versus-religion debate which recently forced him to cancel a speech after student protests.
"In an age when scientific developments attract and seduce with the possibilities they offer, it's more important than ever to educate our contemporaries' consciences so that science does not become the criteria for goodness," he told scientists.
Scientific investigation should be accompanied by "research into anthropology, philosophy and theology" to give insight into "man's own mystery, because no science can say who man is, where he comes from or where he is going", the Pope said.
"Man is not the fruit of chance or a bundle of convergences, determinisms or physical and chemical reactions," Benedict told a meeting of academics of different disciplines sponsored by the Paris Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
The Pope reiterated a plea, made in many speeches since he was elected in 2005, for mankind to be "respected as the centre of creation" and not relegated by more short-term interests.
But the conservative German-born Pope's public stand on issues such as abortion and embryonic stem-cell research lead critics to accuse him of holding antiquated views on science.
Students and teachers at Rome's La Sapienza university -- which was founded by a pope more than 700 years ago -- cited such views when they protested loundly a papal speech scheduled for January 17 that it had to be cancelled.
In particular they criticised his views on science, saying a speech he gave in 1990 showed he would have favoured the Church's 17th century heresy trial against Galileo.
The Vatican said the protesters misunderstood that speech, made some 17 years ago when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
"In an age when scientific developments attract and seduce with the possibilities they offer, it's more important than ever to educate our contemporaries' consciences so that science does not become the criteria for goodness," he told scientists.
Scientific investigation should be accompanied by "research into anthropology, philosophy and theology" to give insight into "man's own mystery, because no science can say who man is, where he comes from or where he is going", the Pope said.
"Man is not the fruit of chance or a bundle of convergences, determinisms or physical and chemical reactions," Benedict told a meeting of academics of different disciplines sponsored by the Paris Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
The Pope reiterated a plea, made in many speeches since he was elected in 2005, for mankind to be "respected as the centre of creation" and not relegated by more short-term interests.
But the conservative German-born Pope's public stand on issues such as abortion and embryonic stem-cell research lead critics to accuse him of holding antiquated views on science.
Students and teachers at Rome's La Sapienza university -- which was founded by a pope more than 700 years ago -- cited such views when they protested loundly a papal speech scheduled for January 17 that it had to be cancelled.
In particular they criticised his views on science, saying a speech he gave in 1990 showed he would have favoured the Church's 17th century heresy trial against Galileo.
The Vatican said the protesters misunderstood that speech, made some 17 years ago when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
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This is why I have hope...because the Holy Spirit will never break His promise to be with the Vicar of Christ and guide the Church to all Truth.
We are so blessed to be alive during the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
If Pope Benedict starts talking about Spirtual Energy in earnest, and I think he will as part of upcoming ecumencial dialogue with the "Eastern lung" of the Church, maybe we will see the day when the reevaluation of Einstein "gift" of E=mc2 leads humanity to the inescapable conclusion that the Catholic Church is the Fullness of Truth and that Jesus has been with His Creation from the outset. Then science ("Big Bang") will be the nature for which faith might be built upon, so that the Holy Eucharist, the fruit of Mass x Infused Light (2x) will be praised, honored and adored as the REAL PRESENCE of the Son of God.
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The Holy Eucharist supplies us with the spiritual energy for the apostolate. It punctuates the major milestones in our personal and community life, and is with us at the evening of our earthly pilgrimage. –Cardinal Francis Arinze
Sincerely yours in Jesus and Mary,
Mike Rizzio, SOLT
Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God
Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!
If you have a few minutes please go to the following sites
and see what I have been compelled to work on since 2004.
http://soltlaity.org/breadoflife.htm
http://soltlaity.org/slideshow.htm
I will attempt to answer any and all inquiries at jmjriz@aol.com.
Mike Rizzio, SOLT
Imitate Mary
Become like Jesus
Live for the Triune God
Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ
See you on the High Ground!
If you have a few minutes please go to the following sites
and see what I have been compelled to work on since 2004.
http://soltlaity.org/breadoflife.htm
http://soltlaity.org/slideshow.htm
I will attempt to answer any and all inquiries at jmjriz@aol.com.
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* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for: Jesus, Mary and Joseph;
O Beata Trinitas; St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael
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