The Archdiocese of Louisville (Kentucky) has been talking science. During the month of May, five articles on faith and science appeared in our diocesan newspaper, The Record. They were part of the “Teaching Our Faith” series that the paper runs periodically. I do not think such things are common in the pages of diocesan papers. I do think more science in diocesan papers would be a great thing.
The “Teaching Our Faith” articles were the idea of Louisville’s Archbishop, Joseph Kurtz. Archbishop Kurtz contributed a guest post to The Catholic Astronomer (now Sacred Space Astronomy) last November. At that time I told the story about how in September 2017, with astronomy “in the air” thanks to the August 2017 eclipse, Prof. Gerry Williger, an astronomer at the University of Louisville here in Kentucky, sent an invitation to Archbishop Kurtz to attend some of the talks that are part of the Public Astronomy Lecture Series hosted by UofL’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. Archbishop Kurtz got right back to Gerry, commenting on his own interest in astronomy, and suggesting that they get together to discuss their common interest. That led in turn to a number of get-togethers of local scientists with Archbishop Kurtz to talk science.
These gatherings are what led to the “Teaching Our Faith” articles. Archbishop Kurtz wrote the first of the five articles. He writes, “For the last few years, I have engaged with a group of Catholic scientists who serve in various settings in our Archdiocese. I very much enjoy our dialogue, both because of their erudition in science and because of their deep faith.”
So check out the “Teaching Our Faith” articles on faith and science, from The Record. They present a variety of perspectives on the topic, from people in a variety of fields. The articles are:
“Teaching Our Faith – Faith and science” (click here), May 1, 2019—by The Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D., Archbishop of Louisville
“Teaching Our Faith – Faith-full Scientists” (click here), May 8, 2019—by yours truly
“Evolution and Faith: Compatible and Complementary” (click here), May 15, 2019—by Dr. Kate Bulinski, Associate Professor of Geosciences in the School of Environmental Studies at Bellarmine University (and who also contributed a guest post to The Catholic Astronomer/Sacred Space Astronomy)
“Teaching Our Faith – Science, Faith and Mental Health” (click here), May 1, 2019—by Dr. Jim Shields, a clinical psychologist in private practice and a member of the deacon formation class of 2020
“Teaching Our Faith – Faith, Science and Care for Creation” (click here), May 1, 2019—by Tim Darst, the executive director of Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light and the associate director of Earth Literacy at the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center
Click here for all Kentucky Science Conversations posts.
