Pope: Science Helps Us Appreciate “The Wonders of Being Human”



VATICAN CITY (VIS) – Pope John Paul this week addressed the

plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences as it meets in the

Vatican on the theme “The Cultural Values of Science.”

The Pope remarked that “it is thanks to science that we have a greater

understanding today of man's place in the universe, of the connections

between human history and the history of the cosmos, … of the remarkable

complexity and at the same time the astonishing coordination of the life

processes themselves. It is thanks to science that we are able to

appreciate ever more what one member of this Academy has called 'the wonder of being human'.”

The Holy Father pointed out that “this knowledge represents an

extraordinary and profound value for the entire human family, and it is of

immeasurable significance for the disciplines of theology and philosophy

… as they seek an ever more complete understanding of the wealth of human

knowledge and Biblical revelation.”

He noted that because scientists “'know more', they are called to 'serve

more'.” They must responsibly use their freedom of research, he added, “for

the benefit of the entire human family. Here I am thinking not only of the

dangers involved in a science devoid of an ethic firmly grounded in the

nature of the human person, … (but also) of the enormous benefits that

science can bring to the peoples of the world through basic research and

technological applications.” The scientific community, in seeking the

common good, must “protect its legitimate authority from economic and

political pressures” and “not give in to the forces of consensus or to the

quest for profit.”

In closing remarks, John Paul II urged scientists to ask themselves if

they can do more to help the world's peoples, “to do more to increase

levels of instruction and improve health conditions, study strategies for a

more equitable distribution of resources, facilitate the free circulation

of information. … Can they not make their voices heard more clearly and

with greater authority in the cause of world peace?”


(This article courtesy of the Vatican Information Service.)

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