I find myself fascinated with the
explorations of science into the universe. Since I was a child, thinking about
galaxies far away held attention.
What would happen if we found
evidence of advanced forms of life on another planet?
A recent article suggests that scientists
are closer than ever to finding out the truth about life beyond Earth. In July
of 2015, NASA discussed the potential of one exoplanet -- Kepler-452b -- that is
the most Earth-like planet ever confirmed outside of the solar system.
The same article says the Vatican is also
excited about the prospect of finding alien life. The head of their astronomy
program is an Argentinean Jesuit named Father José Gabriel Funes, is part of
that search. He received a question about this announcement, which he called “great
news.” While he thinks it likely that some form of life, and perhaps even
intelligent life, might exist, we will never meet a Mr. Spock. Importantly, he
sees no conflict between the possibility of alien life and the teaching of the
church. We cannot put limits on the creative freedom of God. Such life on other
planets would still be, to refer to St. Francis, “Brother Sun and Sister Moon.”[1]
[1] --Abby Ohlheiser, "Why the Vatican doesn't think
we'll ever meet an alien Jesus,"The Washington Post, August 1, 2015,
washingtonpost.com.
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