Article 3000 words Level: all audiences Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J. of the Vatican Observatory writes that while we might not expect many ethical questions to arise in astronomy, since it is a science based on remote observations of distant objects, such questions do crop up nevertheless. He addresses some of these in this 2008 paper. [Click here to download PDF]
Continue reading →Video 17 minutes Level: all audiences A 2019 TED Talk by climate scientist and evangelical Christian Katherine Hayhoe. Hayhoe argues that rehashing data and facts does not help with achieving mutual understanding and progress on the subject of climate change. Rather, what is needed is that we talk with each other, and the key to that is to connect over shared values like family, community and religion.
Continue reading →Article 8 pages Level: high school and above This article by M. Devasagayam, S. J., of the Department of Mathematics at St. Xavier’s College in India, highlights a variety of science education activities. It was published in International Symposium on Astrophysics Research and Science Education, published in 1999 by the Vatican Observatory. Click here to access this article via NASA ADS. Click here to download a PDF of this article from NASA ADS.
Continue reading →Article (blog post) 1800 words Level: all audiences A post on The Catholic Astronomer blog by Fr. James Kurzynski about Saint Maximus the Confessor (580-662 A.D.) and his views on the created world. Fr. Kurzynski writes: For Maximus, an anthropocentrism that views the human person as the center of creation is at the heart of Original Sin and the radical obsession of self that sin creates is the cause of an anthropocentric worldview. Therefore, to view creation in a way that exploits nature for personal gain is not an expression of authentic Christianity for Maximus, but is an embrace of the sinful disposition of heart that led to the Fall in the first place. Click here to read the full article on The Catholic Astronomer – the blog of the Vatican Observatory Foundation.
Continue reading →Article (blog post) 1900 words Level: all audiences A post by Fr. James Kurzynski on The Catholic Astronomer blog. Fr. Kurzynski discusses Earth Day, his initial skepticism toward it, and how the writings of Pope St. John Paul II caused him to rethink that skepticism – mostly, but not entirely: Like many Americans, I had a rather suspicious attitude toward such celebrations, thinking of them as merely days of political statements and protests against anyone who didn’t embrace a 100% “Green” lifestyle. As a devout Catholic, I also struggled with expressions of what I would call an Environmental Spiritualism, treating the Earth as if it were God or another type of deity. In short, Earth Day was not high on my priority list. In time, however, my attitude began to change toward Earth Day. The beginning of the change occurred when I was in college and started to delve into Catholic Social Teaching (CST). I was surprised to discover that one of the … Continue reading →
Article (transcript) 1800 words Level: all audiences A transcript of Pope Benedict XVI speaking to the crew of the International Space Station in 2011. This article has been selected by the Interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of Religion and Science (Inters.org), which is edited by the Advanced School for Interdisciplinary Research, operating at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, and directed by Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti. Pope Benedict concludes: I thank you warmly for this wonderful opportunity to meet and dialogue with you. You have helped me and many other people to reflect together on important issues that regard the future of humanity. I wish you the very best for your work and for the success of your great mission at the service of science, international collaboration, authentic progress, and for peace in the world. I will continue to follow you in my thoughts and prayers and I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing. Click here for this material from Inters.org. Click here for this … Continue reading →
Book chapter 8 pages Level: all audiences This chapter by Vatican Observatory astronomer Christopher Corbally, from the book Creative Creatures: Values and Ethical Issues in Theology, Science, and Technology, discusses Mt. Graham, which has high value both as a location for astronomical observatories (today including the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope and the Large Binocular Telescope) and as a biological preserve. Click here for a preview from Google Books.
Continue reading →Encyclical (PDF) 184 pages Level: high school and above The remarkable 2015 encyclical by Pope Francis is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand Church teaching about our relationship with God’s creation. From the USCCB: On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si’) is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to “every person living on this planet” for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility. Click here for the English version of the encyclical Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis, from the Vatican web site. Click here for the Italian version from the Vatican web site. Click here for the Latin version from the Vatican web site. [Click here to … Continue reading →
A post by Fr. James Kurzynski on The Catholic Astronomer arguing that one of the clear traits left within the human soul by God is to be co-creators in imitation of the Creator.
Continue reading →A post by Fr. James Kurzynski on The Catholic Astronomer. “Just as we speak of the “kiss” between Heaven and Earth that occurs with every Mass, could we also see, as we are sent forth from the Eucharist, a call to reflect the joyful hope of this New Heaven and New Earth by treating our common home a bit more “heavenly”?
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