Vatican evicts astronomers

[alokmohan]

Science is to make way for diplomacy at the Pope's summer residence, with the dismantling of the astronomical observatory that has been part of Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, for more than 75 years. The Pope needs more room to receive diplomats so the telescopes have to go. <br /><br />The eviction of the astronomers and their instruments, reported by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, and their removal to a disused convent a mile away, marks the end of a period of intimacy between popes and priest-astronomers that has lasted well over a century.<br /><br />Father Jose G Funes, the present director of the observatory, known as the Specola Vaticana, insisted that there was no sinister significance in the move. "It is not a downgrading of science in the Vatican," he said. "To remain within the palace would have had only a symbolic significance, whereas where we are going we will be even more comfortable. Nearly everybody is in agreement with the move even though I realise that every change produces disquiet." His predecessor, Father George Coyne, said, "I agree completely with Father Funes. We have discussed the issues many times together and with the rest of our Jesuit staff."<br /><br />But symbolism is exactly what close watchers of Pope Benedict XVI see in the move: confirmation of the view that he is far less receptive to what scientists – including scientists in dog collars – want to tell him than his recent predecessors. He has, for example, spoken in favour of intelligent design, in flat contradiction of the views of the observatory's former director.<br /><br />The popes have been conducting a love-hate affair with astronomy ever since Galileo. Of obvious interest to them, for example, are the efforts of astronomers to pin down exactly which wandering star led the three wise men to the stable in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.<br /><br />The latest attempt was published by Grant Matthews, professor of theoretical astrophysicist at America's University of Notre Dame

 

[JonClarke]

"Evicts" sounds much more news worthy than "relocation". <br /><br />Note that Castel Gandolfo is/was administrative, the actual observing is done at Mt Graham, Arizona. http://clavius.as.arizona.edu/vo/R1024/VO.html<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[genius2007]

Symbolically it is very significant. In the story of end times all the brides maids are encouraged to keep their candles trimmed ready for the return of the master. Seven brides maids did and seven did not.<br /><br />Symbolic because it means the eyes or night lights in Rome the city on seven hills are not lit. In fact the lights are now only in America ... significant.

 

[alokmohan]

This reminds me of forces of creation in action.There should be protests.

 

[JonClarke]

Why? The observatory's work is not being curtailed in any way, and those on site seem to welcome the move. Other than the historic association the move appears to be a good one. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[alokmohan]

I got another notion.May be the reporter may not see eye to eye.

 

[dragon04]

Something that lends support to this simply being a matter of pragmatism and space (no pun intended) at the Vatican is this:<br /><br />Jesuit Arizona Observatory<br /><br />It's been in operation since 1993 on Mt. Graham in Arizona. and is operated by Vatican priests and funded with Vatican money.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

I think you are right. As I said before, eviction is a much more sensational way to write the story than relocation.<br /><br />The observational work is now done in Arizona. <br /><br />cheers<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

I'm shocked, <img src="/images/icons/shocked.gif" /> SHOCKED, <img src="/images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/shocked.gif" /> that the media would inflate a story to sell their advertising; that pays them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[holmec]

This is not a good sign for the Vatican. Why would the Pope do this in the face of the greatest astronomical exploration to date? I wonder if this is a trend of the Catholic Christiandom pulling away from science. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

What did he really do?<br /><br />I'm sure the Vatican is MUCH too light polluted to do any serious research.<br /><br />It's an administrative relocation, not much science can be done there.<br /><br />Sure, if you want to construct a plan, it would fit in with marginalizing science. However, IMHO, that is not a prudent path for the "church".<br />Losing credibilty can erode faith at an uncomfortable rate.<br />I think that would not be good for them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[BReif]

I would recommend that you read Pope John Paul II's encyclical letter Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason). This is an authoritative Church document that explicitly states that the Faith and Reason (read in here science) are two sides of the same coin, each searching for truth in its own way, and share a complementarity. The Roman Catholic Church is not opposed to Science or scientific advancement, provided that it does not cross moral boundaries that are injurious to the dignity of the human person or human life. Even on the question of Origins, the late-Holy Father has stated that the Theory of Evolution is more than just a hypothesis, and that Catholics were free to believe in either creation or evolution (provided it is not atheistic evolution). While many fundamentalist denominations do try to pit faith against science and vice versa, the Catholic Church generally does not, but welcome scientific research as another method of seeking understanding of the mysteries of the world around us in a search for truth. Any pronouncement in an area of science, in fact, I beleive would be unlikely precisely because of the Galileo experience. Therefore, the nuance elicited by the word "evicts" is unwarranted, and indeed sensational. The scientific research is continuing at other locations.