The new director of the Vatican Observatory is an Argentine Jesuit priest.
By Elisabetta Piqué
Correspondent in Italy
Published in The Nation, August 27 2006
By Elisabetta Piqué
Correspondent in Italy
Published in The Nation, August 27 2006
CASTELGANDOLFO, Italy.
"If St. Francis of Assisi, Brother Wolf said, why ET can not say brother?" With its tune and Cordoba humor intact, Father Jose Gabriel Funes, a Jesuit who last week became the "Pope's astronomer, is convinced that the hypothesis that life exists on other planets, and this life intelligent, should not cause any problems for theology and for Christianity.
43 years, a degree in astronomy from the University of Córdoba, ordained in 1995, the 32, and a PhD from the University of Padua, Father Funes is the first Latin American to come to lead the Vatican Observatory, an institution that was already a member. He was appointed by Benedict XVI on August 19 last, to replace American and Jesuit George Coyne.
Also called "Specola" (in Latin), the Vatican Observatory has two locations. A landmark in Castel Gandolfo, a charming village located on top of one of the Roman hills, 25 kilometers from the capital, in the same palace where the Pope resides during the summer. And another in Tucson, Arizona, one of the best places in the world for astronomy, "because it is a high place, has a climate dry, many clear nights and the dark sky, "said Funes, a man noted for his kindness and his way of speaking simple, fan of River, at least once a year he travels to Argentina to visit her parents, his brother and his nephews.
The body set up in 1891 and is a bridge between church and science.
Founded to show that the Church is not against science, but rather encouraged and promoted, the Vatican Observatory , in which they work a total of 13 Jesuits from Castel Gandolfo and Tucson, is a fascinating place.
historic headquarters in Castel Gandolfo that the nation traveled with Father Funes, four telescopes with their respective domes that we hardly used because they are very old and because due to its proximity to Rome and not be seen so many stars, following the lights of the city.
There is also a beautiful terrace with spectacular view over Lake Albano, offices with maps and photos of the cosmos on the fifth floor, a library in the room and a museum on the second, which displays collections of meteorites, and a moonstone that President Nixon sent him to Paul VI in 1973.
Although the Observatory is in the same palace where the Pope lives in the summer, Father Funes never crossed even with Benedict XVI, whose department is on the third floor. "I was very little here. I always spent most of his time in Tucson. But many colleagues and told me that sometimes when you hear the Pope playing the piano, "he said.
revealed that the Society of Jesus is a long tradition of Jesuit astronomers:" A little known fact is that reductions San Cosme and Damian, in northeastern Argentina, Santa Fe Buenaventura Suárez father, circa 1700, was an astronomical observatory. "
- What is the current mission of the Observatory?
" Our current mission is to be a bridge. Just as a priest is a bridge between God and people, our mission is to bridge between the Church and the world of science. Participate in the dialogue between science and faith, which is very active, and our main contribution is scientific research.
Father Funes denied the rumor that his predecessor, also a Jesuit George Coyne, 73, was fired by Pope due to pro-Darwin statements, which may be interpreted as contrary to "divine design" over evolution man.
"It's false, total nonsense," said the Argentine priest.
- Were you born before his love for the stars and their love for God?
"The two things go together. In 1969, when the man reached the moon, I was 6 years old and my second grade teacher was amazed by the questions we did for astronauts and the moon. And then, at 12 or 13 years, I became interested in astronomy, and when I was 15 I decided I would study this.
- You went to the field and would spend hours looking at the stars?
"Yes, watching the sky ... But something very important is that my parents were always supportive. They never told me not going to make money with astronomy, which is true because there is a profitable career, but very supportive.
- After studying astronomy realized there had to be a God?
"No, I was a kid believer, a Catholic family, and vocation came when I was in college in 1982. That was an important year for Argentina in the Falklands War and the end of the dictatorship. And in that context I felt God calling me to serve. I started a spiritual discernment until I saw clearly that he could enter the Society of Jesus after the end of my career.
- Have you ever imagined that he would become the Pope's astronomer?
"No, no (laughs) ... For nothing. Dreaming, yes, of being an astronomer ...
- Is the theory of Darwinian evolution is compatible with Christian thought that God created the universe with a specific design?
"I would like John Paul II is more than a scientific hypothesis. But do not give opinion on this because I have not studied the issue, I am not a biologist. I can talk about the formation and evolution of galaxies, the Big Bang, but do not give a view of evolution from the biological point of view because I am not responsible.
- How would you describe the Big Bang?
"As the best scientific explanation we have for the origin of the universe: we know that the universe is expanding and it is cooling. In the past, the universe must have been concentrated in one spot. Temperatures were very high, millions of degrees, and as the universe cooled were formed the first particles, atoms, stars, galaxies.
"You participated in the meeting of the International Astronomical Union in Prague, where it was decided that Pluto no longer a planet. Do you agree?
"Yes. I attended the debate and it was really interesting, because it was much debate. And it shows how science works, which often has no clear answer.
-Specializing in galaxies, what do you think life on other planets?
"In the universe, there are 100,000 million galaxies in each galaxy there are 100,000 million stars: to have an image, the stars of the universe would be like the number of grains of sand on all Earth's beaches. .. Assuming that there were some sun-like stars with planets similar to Earth, there may be life. So far we have no evidence, even in the most primitive forms, but in recent years has developed a branch of astronomy "Astrobiology, which studies the possibility of finding conditions for the development of life in our solar system, or in other stars that have planets around them.
- If there was life on other planets, would be compatible with Christianity?
"In the hypothesis that life exists, and that this life was smart, I would not be a problem for theology and for Christianity, because just as there are different creatures in creation, there could be aliens smart, they are creatures of God also. San Francisco de Assisi Brother Wolf said. Why we can not say brother ET? I see no difficulties for theology if it is discovered or could make contact with intelligent beings.
- What is the image of God that you have as a scientist who studies the universe?
"To me God is the father of Jesus, the God who became man, that has been the weakest of the weak to save. That same God is also the creator God of the universe, who loves life, loves beauty and loves us as we are.
- What science?
"Science helps me to think critically. I teach astronomy at the University of Arizona student do not follow scientific careers, just for that. And that image of God that all we have is not picture perfect, because God can not know what it is. Theology is the rational understanding of our faith. All Christians should be able to think our faith and try to live not only from an emotional standpoint, his heart, but also with intelligence.
- "The man understands the world we live in?
"Not completely, because otherwise we would behave in another way .
"There tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts, floods. The man is abusing the planet?
effects "There are natural causes, such as a tsunami or earthquake. We are part of nature, but have both technological advancement, we are fragile. A tsunami or earthquake remind us of this fragility. Then there is moral evil, caused by the freedom of man and woman: wars, terrorism and insecurity. Such evil is not loved by God.
"And there is pollution, predation ...
"Everything that is not natural is caused by man. We should be more careful of nature and human resources. Do not forget that other generations.
- How will last the planet Earth?
"The universe is expanding, but are not the center of the universe. The Earth is the third planet revolving around the Sun The Sun is one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way at a distance from the center of the galaxy 25,000 light years. Not even the Argentines are the center of the world (laughs). There is no privileged position, but we believe that the Earth is 4500 million years old, and according to evolution, the sun eventually will become a red giant star. And the effect it will have on the Earth is being heated in a way that life is impossible. And this will happen in 4000 or 5000 million years. Nothing serious, because we will no longer be around to count.
Is there conflict between religious faith and science? Makes your comments here.
43 years, a degree in astronomy from the University of Córdoba, ordained in 1995, the 32, and a PhD from the University of Padua, Father Funes is the first Latin American to come to lead the Vatican Observatory, an institution that was already a member. He was appointed by Benedict XVI on August 19 last, to replace American and Jesuit George Coyne.
Also called "Specola" (in Latin), the Vatican Observatory has two locations. A landmark in Castel Gandolfo, a charming village located on top of one of the Roman hills, 25 kilometers from the capital, in the same palace where the Pope resides during the summer. And another in Tucson, Arizona, one of the best places in the world for astronomy, "because it is a high place, has a climate dry, many clear nights and the dark sky, "said Funes, a man noted for his kindness and his way of speaking simple, fan of River, at least once a year he travels to Argentina to visit her parents, his brother and his nephews.
The body set up in 1891 and is a bridge between church and science.
Founded to show that the Church is not against science, but rather encouraged and promoted, the Vatican Observatory , in which they work a total of 13 Jesuits from Castel Gandolfo and Tucson, is a fascinating place.
historic headquarters in Castel Gandolfo that the nation traveled with Father Funes, four telescopes with their respective domes that we hardly used because they are very old and because due to its proximity to Rome and not be seen so many stars, following the lights of the city.
There is also a beautiful terrace with spectacular view over Lake Albano, offices with maps and photos of the cosmos on the fifth floor, a library in the room and a museum on the second, which displays collections of meteorites, and a moonstone that President Nixon sent him to Paul VI in 1973.
Although the Observatory is in the same palace where the Pope lives in the summer, Father Funes never crossed even with Benedict XVI, whose department is on the third floor. "I was very little here. I always spent most of his time in Tucson. But many colleagues and told me that sometimes when you hear the Pope playing the piano, "he said.
revealed that the Society of Jesus is a long tradition of Jesuit astronomers:" A little known fact is that reductions San Cosme and Damian, in northeastern Argentina, Santa Fe Buenaventura Suárez father, circa 1700, was an astronomical observatory. "
- What is the current mission of the Observatory?
" Our current mission is to be a bridge. Just as a priest is a bridge between God and people, our mission is to bridge between the Church and the world of science. Participate in the dialogue between science and faith, which is very active, and our main contribution is scientific research.
Father Funes denied the rumor that his predecessor, also a Jesuit George Coyne, 73, was fired by Pope due to pro-Darwin statements, which may be interpreted as contrary to "divine design" over evolution man.
"It's false, total nonsense," said the Argentine priest.
- Were you born before his love for the stars and their love for God?
"The two things go together. In 1969, when the man reached the moon, I was 6 years old and my second grade teacher was amazed by the questions we did for astronauts and the moon. And then, at 12 or 13 years, I became interested in astronomy, and when I was 15 I decided I would study this.
- You went to the field and would spend hours looking at the stars?
"Yes, watching the sky ... But something very important is that my parents were always supportive. They never told me not going to make money with astronomy, which is true because there is a profitable career, but very supportive.
- After studying astronomy realized there had to be a God?
"No, I was a kid believer, a Catholic family, and vocation came when I was in college in 1982. That was an important year for Argentina in the Falklands War and the end of the dictatorship. And in that context I felt God calling me to serve. I started a spiritual discernment until I saw clearly that he could enter the Society of Jesus after the end of my career.
- Have you ever imagined that he would become the Pope's astronomer?
"No, no (laughs) ... For nothing. Dreaming, yes, of being an astronomer ...
- Is the theory of Darwinian evolution is compatible with Christian thought that God created the universe with a specific design?
"I would like John Paul II is more than a scientific hypothesis. But do not give opinion on this because I have not studied the issue, I am not a biologist. I can talk about the formation and evolution of galaxies, the Big Bang, but do not give a view of evolution from the biological point of view because I am not responsible.
- How would you describe the Big Bang?
"As the best scientific explanation we have for the origin of the universe: we know that the universe is expanding and it is cooling. In the past, the universe must have been concentrated in one spot. Temperatures were very high, millions of degrees, and as the universe cooled were formed the first particles, atoms, stars, galaxies.
"You participated in the meeting of the International Astronomical Union in Prague, where it was decided that Pluto no longer a planet. Do you agree?
"Yes. I attended the debate and it was really interesting, because it was much debate. And it shows how science works, which often has no clear answer.
-Specializing in galaxies, what do you think life on other planets?
"In the universe, there are 100,000 million galaxies in each galaxy there are 100,000 million stars: to have an image, the stars of the universe would be like the number of grains of sand on all Earth's beaches. .. Assuming that there were some sun-like stars with planets similar to Earth, there may be life. So far we have no evidence, even in the most primitive forms, but in recent years has developed a branch of astronomy "Astrobiology, which studies the possibility of finding conditions for the development of life in our solar system, or in other stars that have planets around them.
- If there was life on other planets, would be compatible with Christianity?
"In the hypothesis that life exists, and that this life was smart, I would not be a problem for theology and for Christianity, because just as there are different creatures in creation, there could be aliens smart, they are creatures of God also. San Francisco de Assisi Brother Wolf said. Why we can not say brother ET? I see no difficulties for theology if it is discovered or could make contact with intelligent beings.
- What is the image of God that you have as a scientist who studies the universe?
"To me God is the father of Jesus, the God who became man, that has been the weakest of the weak to save. That same God is also the creator God of the universe, who loves life, loves beauty and loves us as we are.
- What science?
"Science helps me to think critically. I teach astronomy at the University of Arizona student do not follow scientific careers, just for that. And that image of God that all we have is not picture perfect, because God can not know what it is. Theology is the rational understanding of our faith. All Christians should be able to think our faith and try to live not only from an emotional standpoint, his heart, but also with intelligence.
- "The man understands the world we live in?
"Not completely, because otherwise we would behave in another way .
"There tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts, floods. The man is abusing the planet?
effects "There are natural causes, such as a tsunami or earthquake. We are part of nature, but have both technological advancement, we are fragile. A tsunami or earthquake remind us of this fragility. Then there is moral evil, caused by the freedom of man and woman: wars, terrorism and insecurity. Such evil is not loved by God.
"And there is pollution, predation ...
"Everything that is not natural is caused by man. We should be more careful of nature and human resources. Do not forget that other generations.
- How will last the planet Earth?
"The universe is expanding, but are not the center of the universe. The Earth is the third planet revolving around the Sun The Sun is one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way at a distance from the center of the galaxy 25,000 light years. Not even the Argentines are the center of the world (laughs). There is no privileged position, but we believe that the Earth is 4500 million years old, and according to evolution, the sun eventually will become a red giant star. And the effect it will have on the Earth is being heated in a way that life is impossible. And this will happen in 4000 or 5000 million years. Nothing serious, because we will no longer be around to count.
Is there conflict between religious faith and science? Makes your comments here.
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