Science, Religion and the Assumptions We Make

[hrmjustin]

Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ

One of the great advantages of being a Jesuit astronomer at the Vatican Observatory is that, since we are supported by the Church, we don't have to worry about writing proposals, sitting on committees or even teaching classes. We can concentrate on doing interesting, long-term scientific projects.

Of course, we do have our own personal commitments. I live in a community of a dozen Jesuit priests and brothers (most of us with doctorates in astronomy or related fields), and as a community we care for each other... picking up a fellow Jesuit at the airport, or taking an elderly brother to a doctor's appointment. But generally our vow of celibacy means that we're free to go where the work calls us, whether it's traveling to conferences or staying late in the lab. We don't have to worry about a child with the flu or a spouse's job search.

There is one call on our time, however, that my married colleagues don't face. It's the emails and letters we receive, regularly, asking us about our lives of science and faith.

Of course, the whole reason the Vatican established a Vatican Observatory was to show the world that the Church supports science. Answering that constant stream of questions is an essential way we "show the world," even if it is just one letter at a time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/br-guy-consolmagno-sj/science-religion-and-the-_b_6023362.html?utm_hp_ref=religion