As a Catholic who happens to be majoring in Biological Sciences, I’ve had a couple conversations recently that went like this:
Many people are under a very false impression that Christianity is incompatible with sciences. This, simply, is nonsense. Science is the study of the natural world. Science can never say anything about the supernatural, nor does it aim to. But as Catholics, we view Science as an irreplaceable understanding of the natural world – the same as any scientist would. Seeking an understanding of science is like taking a peek into the mind of God – through the intricate, infinitesimally detailed world of science, one can understand the personality of God in a way unlike anything else. For instance, one can look at a flower and think “Wow. What a pretty flower”, and find God in that beauty – but how much more so can one appreciate this beauty when looking at that flower, and realizing the intricate structure of that flower – not only seeing that the flower is purple, green, has leaves, etc., but also realizing how and why. A mind equipped with scientific reasoning is a mind equipped to better understand beauty.
So… The Catholic Church – what does it say about science? Well, first I’ll share one of my favorite quotes from Blessed Pope John Paul II:
“Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.”
Essentially, a good religion will not dismiss science and will acknowledge its claims, but will also not make science into an end in and of itself.
Pope Pius IX stated the following: “Not only can faith and reason never be at odds with one another but they mutually support each other, for on the one hand right reason established the foundations of the faith and, illuminated by its light, develops the science of divine things”
So the Catholic Church IS ok with science, and also supports it. Here are some more examples…
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences – Obviously the Pope and the magisterium (teaching authority of the Church), who are perfectly open and accepting of science, usually aren’t practicing scientists. To combat this problem, Pope Pius XI established the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which is comprised of various scientists from all over the world (Christian or not) to inform the magisterium on the current progress of science in the world. You may be familiar with one of its members, Stephen Hawking.
So… The Catholic Church – what does it say about science? Well, first I’ll share one of my favorite quotes from Blessed Pope John Paul II:
“Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.”
Essentially, a good religion will not dismiss science and will acknowledge its claims, but will also not make science into an end in and of itself.
Pope Pius IX stated the following: “Not only can faith and reason never be at odds with one another but they mutually support each other, for on the one hand right reason established the foundations of the faith and, illuminated by its light, develops the science of divine things”
So the Catholic Church IS ok with science, and also supports it. Here are some more examples…
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences – Obviously the Pope and the magisterium (teaching authority of the Church), who are perfectly open and accepting of science, usually aren’t practicing scientists. To combat this problem, Pope Pius XI established the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which is comprised of various scientists from all over the world (Christian or not) to inform the magisterium on the current progress of science in the world. You may be familiar with one of its members, Stephen Hawking.
The Vatican Observatory – The Vatican also operates a huge telescope (which has been moved to more remote locations in Italy due to sky pollution) for general research purposes. The Jesuits are in charge here, and have made some significant contributions to the astronomy world in the years of the observatory’s existence. In fact, 35 craters on the moon are named for Jesuit scientists.
The Church also holds frequent conferences, and spontaneously calls for them if a new issue is in particular demand. For instance, Pope Pius XII held a conference at the Pontifical University when evolution was a hot topic (well, MORE hot) which he called “Biological Evolution: Facts and Theories”. Here he stated that there is no intrinsic conflict between Christianity and the theory of evolution, which was again voiced just a few years ago by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
No, the Church hasn’t always been so cool about science. For Instance, if you saw Google a few weeks ago you may have seen the Google Doodle in honor of Nicholas Copernicus, who discovered heliocentricism. Copernicus actually received a doctorate in canon law during his lifetime. Upon making his discovery, he wrote a book about it and dedicated his book to Pope Paul III. The Church thanked him by flipping out, and arguments ensued among the ranks of the church – similar to the Galileo affair. The important thing to remember with these incidents, however, is that these positions held by some of the Church were not held by everybody. In fact, with both the Galileo and Copernicus affair, many Cardinals continuously voiced to those opposed to these new theories that they simply could not continue to defend themselves without harming the integrity of the Church. The other important thing to remember is that eventually the Church did say “oops, sorry”. In fact, Copernicus’s tomb stone identifies him as founder of the heliocentric theory and also a church canon. Galileo was referred to by Pope Pius XII as the “most audacious heroes of research… not afraid of the stumbling blocks and the risks on the way, nor fearful of the funereal monuments.”
Speaking of Catholic Scientists…. Were there any more?
I’ll mention a few of my favorites here:
Fr. Georges Lemaitre – Discovered a little something called THE BIG BANG. Lemaitre was the first person to propose the Big Bang as the origin of the universe. The guy also hung out with Einstein frequently.
No, the Church hasn’t always been so cool about science. For Instance, if you saw Google a few weeks ago you may have seen the Google Doodle in honor of Nicholas Copernicus, who discovered heliocentricism. Copernicus actually received a doctorate in canon law during his lifetime. Upon making his discovery, he wrote a book about it and dedicated his book to Pope Paul III. The Church thanked him by flipping out, and arguments ensued among the ranks of the church – similar to the Galileo affair. The important thing to remember with these incidents, however, is that these positions held by some of the Church were not held by everybody. In fact, with both the Galileo and Copernicus affair, many Cardinals continuously voiced to those opposed to these new theories that they simply could not continue to defend themselves without harming the integrity of the Church. The other important thing to remember is that eventually the Church did say “oops, sorry”. In fact, Copernicus’s tomb stone identifies him as founder of the heliocentric theory and also a church canon. Galileo was referred to by Pope Pius XII as the “most audacious heroes of research… not afraid of the stumbling blocks and the risks on the way, nor fearful of the funereal monuments.”
Speaking of Catholic Scientists…. Were there any more?
I’ll mention a few of my favorites here:
Fr. Georges Lemaitre – Discovered a little something called THE BIG BANG. Lemaitre was the first person to propose the Big Bang as the origin of the universe. The guy also hung out with Einstein frequently.
When Einstein heard his proposition of the Big Bang theory, he totally had his back and said to him: “Your calculations are correct, but your grasp of physics is abominable.” Oh. Well, then Fr. Lemaitre gave a later seminar on his theory, which apparently Einstein got that time, because he stood up, applauded, and said, “This is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which I have ever listened.”
And here are some more, compiled into one giant image:
So there you have it. Science and Christianity are, in fact, compatible. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make sure I understand how action potentials are propagated along axons before this test on Friday.
