Jesuit Astronomer wins the Carl Sagan Medal

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Just found out about this story today.

Local news story from the Detroit Free Press with some background information about Brother Consolmagno:
“There’s nothing new in what he was saying,” Consolmagno said of the pope. He noted that evolution is based on genetic theory, first discovered by the Catholic monk Gregor Mendel, who died in 1884.
The Big Bang theory, said Consolmagno, is based on work by Catholic priest Georges Lemaitre, who died in 1966. But the Vatican also has warred with astronomers and imprisoned Galileo in the 1600s for heresy for arguing that the Earth orbits the sun.
“But so many people have bought into the lie that science and religion are opposed, so the pope has to keep reminding the world otherwise,” Consolmagno said.
freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/11/10/jesuit-brother-wins-carl-sagan-medal/18774213/
 
Just found out about this story today.

Local news story from the Detroit Free Press with some background information about Brother Consolmagno:

“There’s nothing new in what he was saying,” Consolmagno said of the pope. He noted that evolution is based on genetic theory, first discovered by the Catholic monk Gregor Mendel, who died in 1884.

The Big Bang theory, said Consolmagno, is based on work by Catholic priest Georges Lemaitre, who died in 1966. But the Vatican also has warred with astronomers and imprisoned Galileo in the 1600s for heresy for arguing that the Earth orbits the sun.

“But so many people have bought into the lie that science and religion are opposed, so the pope has to keep reminding the world otherwise,” Consolmagno said.

freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/11/10/jesuit-brother-wins-carl-sagan-medal/18774213/
I hope Brother Consolmagno’s science is significantly better than his Church history:rolleyes:
 
I’m not really understanding exactly what you mean.
From the article:
"The Big Bang theory, said Consolmagno, is based on work by Catholic priest Georges Lemaitre, who died in 1966. But the Vatican also has warred with astronomers and imprisoned Galileo in the 1600s for heresy for arguing that the Earth orbits the sun." (My bold).

A quick reading of the above excerpt led me to believe that Brother Consolmagno was spouting the usual, Church-haters’ canard regarding poor, innocent Galileo (their hero) and the science-hating Pope who wrongly persecuted him. It was really annoying coming from a Vatican scientist, some of whom lately have been far worse than annoying.

A calmer reading, thanks to your post:), now leads me to believe that the person who needs a Church history lesson regarding Galileo is the author of the article, not Brother Consolmagno.

So, thanks, again.
 
Yay for Brother Guy! A great scientist and a wonderful guy (no pun intended.)

His book “God’s Mechanics” is a great explication of how technically-oriented and scientifically-minded people approach faith. Recommended.

He also was kind enough to send my son a congratulation letter when he made Eagle Scout.
 
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