Jesuits in Science

VIII Conference of the European Jesuits in Science
Rome, 10-14 September 2003

Conclusions

We wish to express our appreciation for the letter of Fr. General of January 2003, which supports us in our intellectual mission, deeply rooted in the tradition of the Society.

First and foremost we are scientists, and in our study of the natural universe we are doing no less than following the instruction of our father Ignatius to “find God in all things.” The delight we have, and the delight we share, in pursuing our scientific understanding of how creation works comes from encountering in it the love and goodness of God, who from the beginning of time has revealed Himself in the things He has created (Romans 1, 22).

However, we also recognize that there is a connection between our work in science and the promotion of justice in the service to our faith. It is our task to mediate between science and theology, and to inculturate the Gospel in the present society which is so strongly influenced by the ideas of science and the realities of technology.

In order to perceive better the experiences and points of view of others in this inculturating work, we need to act creatively and not be afraid to take risks. We need to make ourselves present to others in this work, conscious of the reality of how scientific work is done today, and aware of the ambiguity that results in many cases from collaborating (and accepting support) with a diverse range of institutions. Our goal is always to preserve and defend the dignity of the human person. We recognize that this will require us to cultivate personal attitudes of solitude, prayer, reading of the Bible, internal life, and reflection on our relationship with Christ, confronted with both the faith and the doubt that is always present in our personal lives and in the lives of those with whom we work.

As a group, we want to continue to promote and expand the collaboration among Jesuits scientists in Europe. We support the long-term apostolic planning of the Society in Europe in which the presence of young Jesuits with a serious scientific formation will be taken into account. We want to promote a continuous evaluation of the formation to the priesthood in such a way that it, too, promotes an awareness of the developments of natural sciences. To this end, we would like to consider the possibility of having a meeting with the European groups of Jesuits who work in the field of philosophy and theology. We are open to the suggestions of these groups.

Above all, we recognize that in our work we do not act as individuals but as members who represent by the Church and the Society of Jesus, for whose fellowship and support we are forever grateful.

Fr. Javier Leach, SJ
Co-ordinator of European Jesuits in Science