Lunatic Writer's Blog

Guy Consolmagno & the Vatican Observatory

3/31/2013

Brother Guy--A Jesuit and research astronomer--echoes my feelings about the relationship between science and religion very eloquently. At one point he reminds listeners that Scripture says: "God so loved the world that he gave us his Son." Brother Guy emphasizes the fact that it is the "world" that God loves, the physical, real, rational, open-for-investigation world. We are part of this world and, like God himself, are expected to love it. Hence science. Hence environmentalism. Hence all charity and love. Amen.

Br. Consolmagno and part of the Vatican meteorite collection, courtesy Kevin Nickerson

(Originally broadcast on CBC's Quirks and Quarks on April 15, 2006)

Science and religion are often seen in conflict, but that's something Brother Guy Consolmagno would like to put behind us. He's certainly put it behind him. Brother Guy is the Curator of Meteorites of the Vatican Observatory in Arizona, and an accomplished planetary scientist, and he sees no tension at all between his science and his religion. He also thinks many scientists with religious beliefs feel the same way. The conflict, he suspects, is a result of people who know too little about both science and religion.

Click BELOW for the CBC interview with Brother Guy and learn what the Roman Catholic Church really thinks about science.

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VATT--the Vatican Observatory, near Tucson, Arizona.

Ready for more? Here what the Vatican Observatory's chief astronomer, Jose Gabriel Funes has to say about the possible existence of
extra-terrestrial intelligence.

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The MIKADO: a performance in Victoria, Jan. 5, 1886

2/6/2013

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Brian d'Eon as Ko-Ko, 1991

THE MIKADO

In 1991, Nelson Little Theatre presented “The Mikado” for local audiences. It was great fun, (even though it seemed preoccupied with the notion of chopping off heads) and I had the good fortune to play Ko-Ko.

105 years earlier, Victoria, BC. was treated to its own production of this Gilbert and Sullivan classic, on the very eve and day of Robert Sproule’s scheduled execution. Fortunately, he was to live to see another day but, alas, never a performance. His execution date was postponed on six different occasions till finally he was hanged on Oct. 29, 1886. Here’s what one journalist had to say about the show:

"Victoria has been taken by storm. The Thompson Opera Company achieved a brilliant success at the Victoria last evening. The house was crowded, and from the beginning to end the entertainment was a succession of triumphs. No company with so many excellent performers has before appeared on Victoria boards. The acting could not have been better; the vocalism was of the highest order, and the stage settings were most appropriate. It has seldom been our good fortune to listen to a tenor of Mr. Branson’s ability, a baritone of Mr. Seaman’s power, or bassos of Mr. Gillow and Mr. Murray’s capacity. The character of Katisah (sp. Katisha) by Miss Godfrey was admirably sustained and her lovely voice had excellent scope. Yum-Yum by Miss Hall, Pitti Sing by Miss Vining, Peep-Boo by Miss Branson, were successful efforts. Ko-Ko in Mr. McCollin’s hands is on e of the most amusing roles ever attempted, and was delightfully performed. There were frequent encores during the evening, particularly the National Anthem at the close. The choruses were sustained. There is not an inferior singer or actor in the company. The town is ringing with their success. Readers should not fail to see the Mikado, which will be repeated to-night. Seats may be secured at Waitt’s."

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Guy Consolmagno & the Vatican Observatory

Click BELOW for the CBC interview with Brother Guy and learn what the Roman Catholic Church really thinks about science.

VATT--the Vatican Observatory, near Tucson, Arizona.

The MIKADO: a performance in Victoria, Jan. 5, 1886

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