International Conference on Catholicism in the World of Science
There has been always an osmosis between Science and Christianity. Scientist like Alfred North Whitehead and Paul Davies state that modern science is a gift of Christianity to the World. Jaki-Duhem thesis argues that Christianity was necessary for the rise of modern science. Besides these positive voices, there are significantly large number of scholars who think that Christianity hiders the development of Science and hence, support a conflict model between Science and Christianity. The conflict model draws a lot of attention but fails to consider all the complexities of the relationship between Science and Christianity. Some make a peace offer through a non-interactive model beautifully exemplified by Michael Faraday who said ‘ when I open by oratory I close my laboratory’.
Thanks to developments in Science and Christianity, one can notice a great atmosphere of openness between the two. The twentieth century physics brought about a kind of humbling of science as a result it became open to Christianity. This openness was based on the developments in Science itself. Theories like Special and General Relativity , Quantum Physics, M-theory, Chaos theory have built a firm belief that there can be a conversation between Science and Christianity. Similarly, the developments within Christianity have reinforced this conversation. The Second Vatican Council, opening of the case of Galileo by Pope John Paul II, Pope’s John Paul’s letter to the scientists, etc., have opened a new corridor of dialogue with Science within Christianity.
The church is Goa joins the dynamic conversation with Science as the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol celebrates its fourth centenary. This great temple of learning, that served as a meeting ground of East and West Continues its noble mission of mediation as it organizes an international conference on the theme ‘ Catholicism in the world of Science’ in collaboration with Pontifical Council for Culture, Vatican, Rome, Division of Humanities, St. John University, New York and the Indian Institute of Science and Religion, Pune from 17th to 20th Dec. 2010 at the Patriarchal Seminary in Rachol to mark its fourth centenary.
The Archbishop Patriarch, his Grace Filipe Neri Ferrao will solemnly inaugurate the seminar and deliver the inaugural address. Dr. Job Kozhamthadam, the director of Indian, Institute of Science and Religion and the president of the Jnana-deeepa Vidyapeeth will give the key note address and the message of Archbishop Ravazi, the secretary of the Pontifical Council for culture will be read in the inaugural session. The delegates will be addressed by several illustrious speakers of both national as well as international repute who have expertise in their respective fields of research. The dialogue of contemporary cosmology with catholic theology of creation would be addressed by Dr. Victor Ferrao of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol. The debate on Darwinism and Catholic anthropology will be taken by Dr. Craig Baron of St. John’s University New York. Creation, Evolution and Intelligent Design debate will be taken up by Dr. Tomasz of the Pontifical Council, Vatican, Rome. The Debate around the Neuroscience, and the Human Soul, will be tackled by Dr. Augustine Pamplany from Little Flower Seminary, Alwaye, Kerala. The Galileo episode will be dealt by the Galileo expert Dr. Mathew Chandrankunnel of the Dharmaram Vidya Kshetra, Bangaloru. The fate of the universe and humanity will be discussed from the point of view of science and theology by Dr. Kuruvilla from Jnana-deepa Vidyapeeth.
Along with the above issues of faith, the conference will take up some vital issues of morals. Dr. May A Webber from St. John University New York, will discuss the morality of cloning and stem cell research and Dr. Sarita Nazareth of Goa University will present the moral issues centered around Genetic Engineering. Dr. Asrid Lobo , from Tata Memorial Hospital will strive to take up the moral issues emerging from tissues banking, oncology and human fertility. Dr. Bazilio Monteiro, from St. John’s University, New York will take up the debate on the metaphysics of the models of development.
The other papers promise to consider the nuances of the Science and Catholicism dialogue and draw the direction its future engagement. Dr. Keith Desouza will study how hermeneutics is the meeting ground between science and catholic faith. Dr. Theodore Mascarenhas sfx, from the Pontifical Council, Vatican, Rome will take up the teachings of the Church on Science and technology. Dr. Chae Young Kim, Sogang University Korea will take up the prospects of theological appropriation of the findings of science while Dr. Gennaro Auletta, of the Gregorian University, Rome will takes the theological appropriation of quantum physics. Dr. Allan Tavares, sfx, will take up acoustics of sacred space.
The conference promises an intellectual as well as spiritual banquet for the delegates. The seminary opens the conference to all Catholics who are practicing science and those interested in science and faith dialogue. It is hoped that Goan catholic intelligentsia will participate, contribute and enrich the event. Important issues like the IT, nanotechnology synthetic biology etc., will be addressed through group discussions. Those interested are request to contact Dr. Victor Ferrao, the convenor on his, mobile 9822185826, email: victorfer...@yahoo.co.uk. Or the seminary office on the phone numbers 2776052, 2776325, and 2 776321.
with love victor ---------------------------------------------------- Read all Goanet messages at: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/ ----------------------------------------------------
