Jesuits and Astronomy Science and Faith: A Match Made in Heaven?

Science and Faith: A Match Made in Heaven? JESUITS AND ASTRONOMY

Through a photo challenge, we were invited to consider better practices for taking care of the common home of our campus. One student who rides his bike to school has begun working to find ways to implement responsible practices for excess food on campus.

Throughout the week students and faculty were asked to consider ways in which we can create a hope-filled future and act as agents of that hope.

In response, a student noted that small things we do can have a steady impact for the good. Another student shared that he makes an effort to notice anyone sitting alone and finds a way to sit with them without drawing attention to the situation. Another wrote, “as a minority, I know the pain of exclusion and the issues of racism that arise from it. To be an agent of hope I will attempt to include all that I can.” A faculty member wrote, “I hope to include my immigrant students, my introverted students, my LGBT students and my students with learning differences more fully.” While another member of the community reflected on the strength that comes from solidarity, standing shoulder to shoulder with one another because “your struggle is my struggle, too.”

Jesuit works, like Loyola High School, are afforded an opportunity to renew our presence in the heart of human history, creating a hope-filled future for our students…positive signs for the times.

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SCIENCE OR FAITH? Was the earth created by the Big Bang or by God in seven days? Is it possible to believe both? The Jesuits would say yes. In fact, the Jesuits might even say that studying the universe and its creation is an act of getting closer to our creator.

Dr. Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo, SJ has a Ph.D. in astronomy and works as part of the Jesuit team at the Vatican Observatory. When asked about the co-existence of faith and science, his answer centers around how people experience science and faith.

“The experience in front of you, whether it’s science or faith, will help you better understand yourself, other people and the world,” he says. “The experience one has with science and with faith provides comfort and gives life. There’s a lot of similarities between knowing God and understanding science. If you go deep in the way of understanding science or your religion, there is no ‘or’ anymore, both help you better understand the world around you and your own life.”

The Jesuits have a long history with astronomy, including St. Ignatius who would gaze up at the sky and bow profoundly to God. Today, there are 35 craters on the moon named after Jesuits for their contributions to science. Fr. Jean-Baptiste explains this connection.

“There are a lot of Jesuits in the sciences; we were very involved from the beginning especially with physics, mathematics and astronomy,” he says. “So, when people started putting names on the Luna features, they needed people who were well-known at the time, and because there were a lot of Jesuit scientists, it was normal to name these Luna features after them.”

Fr. Jean-Baptiste is one of those Jesuit scientists—he has an asteroid, “Kikwaya” named after him. When asked about leaving an incredible legacy in science, his modesty shows.

“My name on that asteroid is the recognition of the entire community and my contribution to science,” he said. “The community accepted my work and I’m happy, but I won’t stand on it.”

Fr. Jean-Baptiste’s contributions to science go much deeper than just recognition. “We are doing science not because we want to be known around the world, but because we truly think that we can bring something to the world.”