The Vatican’s Observatory has announced that for the first time it will be hosting a workshop analysing the relationship between faith and astronomy for parish educators, which is slated to take place next spring, reports the Catholic News Agency.
'We had done something similar to this only for bishops, held in Rome back in 1990. After nearly 25 years it was certainly time to try it again!' Br Guy Consolmagno told CNA on March 24.
Br Guy Consolmagno SJ is an American research astronomer and planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory, which is an astronomical research and educational institution supported by the Holy See.
Having received a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a PhD. at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in planetary science, the religious brother entered the Society of Jesus in 1989 and currently serves as curator of the Vatican Meteorite collection.
Referring to the four-day workshop, sponsored by the Vatican Observatory Foundation, entitled What can modern astronomy tell us about creation – and its Creator? Br Consolmagno explained that originally 'the idea of a faith-astronomy workshop for parish educators didn't come from us'.
Instead, 'it came, out of the blue,' he recalled, 'from a diocesan priest in Wisconsin who wrote to us last fall with the idea.'
FULL STORY Vatican launches astronomy class for parish educators (CNA)