Acting Principal Message
James Roberts
Religion v Science
People with little understanding or knowledge of religion and faith can be quite dismissive of those people with strong faith and spirituality. Invariably they pull out the “but science has proved..” or “ how can that be true when the facts or evidence tells us…”. What we do know is that we don’t read the bible the same way we read a science textbook. There are a number of scientists who have been quoted referring to the existence of a God: Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Leon Lederman. But the one that stands out for me is Georges Lemaitre.
Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître was a Jesuit trained Belgian Catholic priest, theoretical physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and professor of physics at the Catholic University of Louvain.He was the first to theorise that the recession of nearby galaxies can be explained by an expanding universe. Lemaître also proposed the "Big Bang theory" of the origin of the universe, calling it the "hypothesis of the primaeval atom", and later calling it "the beginning of the world".
There have also been numerous Popes who have supported scientific endeavours. Pope John XXII was a big supporter of Lemaitre. Pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul II publicly supported theories of evolution.
A Prayer for Our Planet
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole of the universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
Amen
Composed by Pope Francis
My takeaway is that it is possible to “have a foot in both camps”. My reasoning greets me each day as I rise before dawn and enjoy the stillness of the air, the birds chirping, the glow on the horizon as slowly one by one the rays of sunshine warm us and light the world. For me this is the most perfect part of each fresh new day. For while science gives me an explanation for all of this, my faith tells me that there is a transcendent God orchestrating this amazing show, with each day being different from the one before. I leave you with this quote from Albert Einstein, “ There are two ways to live your life. One is though nothing is a miracle. The other is though everything is a miracle.”
Yours in Faith, Hope & Love
James Roberts
Acting Principal