--- On Thu, 8/7/08, Fr. Ivo C da Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
***Let me correct the statement: Miracles are assessed by
scientific procedures as being "extraordinary events",
beyond the reach of of physical laws.
Dr.Santosh Helekar replied: "The above statement is wrong. No scientific
procedure is followed by anybody to assess any miracle. No genuine
scientific field or study has ever certified any event as extraordinary,
and proclaimed such a certification to be a valid scientific procedure".
***This statement is a classical example of 'scientific absolutism'. Not
being a scientist myself by profession, but knowing what scientific
procedure is, I lean on the authoritative statements of the scientific
authorities and state again that there are 'unexplained', 'extraordinary'
events, not to be explained by Science. We ascribe them to God's power.
Being an agnostic, Dr.Santosh can only say that he does not know whether
there is God or whether there are miracles. He cannot deny them. This
would
be un-scientific behaviour. Being limited to his specialization in
Neuroscience, Dr.Santosh cannot speak for all the physicians of the world.
I
quote from Lourdes Medical Bureau. I have the full dossier of the
miracles,
published by the International Medical Committee of Lourdes.
"Cures and Miracles
In 1859, Professor Vergez of the Faculty of Medicine at
Montpellier was appointed to examine the cures. Seven cures were recorded
before 1862 promoting the argument for the recognition of the Apparitions
by
Bishop Laurence.
In 1905, Pope Pius X requested 'to submit to a proper
process' the most spectacular of the cures of Lourdes. The Medical Bureau
was set up to carry this out.
"Medical Bureau" has two different meanings. It is, first
of all, a place in the Sanctuary with two offices where a doctor
practices.
This doctor receives the declarations and begins an examination of the
facts
according to the traditional criteria as it was defined in the 18th
century
by Cardinal Lambertini the future Pope Benedict XIV for the process of
beatification
If the case appears serious, the doctor arranges a
Medical
Bureau which is a consultation where all the medical doctors, regardless
of
their religious persuasion, present in the Sanctuary on the day may
attend.
If the doctor of Lourdes and the gathered medical bureau
find in favour the file is sent to the International Medical Committee of
Lourdes (C.M.I.L.). This is made up of some 20 members, respected in their
own particular area. This committee has been in existence since 1947. In
1954, Bishop Théas wanted it to have a true international dimension.
This Committee is chaired jointly by the Bishop of Tarbes
and Lourdes and one of its members nominated by the Bishop for a set
period
of time which can be renewed. The doctor of Lourdes is the secretary to
this
committee.
This committee makes a judgement about a case. One or
more
of its members are them charged with examining it in detail and informing
himself on all the medical literature published on related subjects... The
person charged with the case may consult with colleagues on the outside.
Normally the person concerned is not summoned to be present.
The Committee meets once a year, in the autumn. They
examine the current files. When everything is in place (this can take some
time) the Committee decides by way of a vote whether to declare or refuse
to
confirm that this cure is inexplicable according to present scientific
knowledge. A two-third majority is required for an affirmative vote.
The medical result is sent to the bishop of the diocese
where the cured person lives. The bishop would, naturally, have been kept
up
to date with the proceedings. If it appears that the result is going to be
positive the bishop is advised, in advance, to set up locally a small
medical committee who can, at the given moment, consider the conclusions
of
the Committee.
In the light of current events, the Bishop can decide or
abstain from recognising the "miraculous" character of this cure.
As Christians, the physicians know that a miracle is a
spiritual sign. They don't want to be judges on this matter. Moreover, for
a
modern mentality, it is difficult to say that something is "inexplicable".
They can only say that it is "unexplained".
+Jacques Perrier
Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes
17 March 2003
