Papal spokesman discusses faith and reason in medical research

May 07, 2012

The director of the Holy See Press Office has devoted his weekly editorial to the importance of the union faith and reason in medical research--a union that was a theme of Pope Benedict’s May 3 address to the Faculty of Medicine at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.

“The union of reason and faith is a guarantee of the fertility of each, while their separation leads to a ‘an impoverishment of ethics,’ that makes it impossible to assess whether what is technically possible is morally good--whether it leads to the authentic human good,” wrote Father Federico Lombardi, SJ.

“The Pope said even more, however, for science and medical research are so directly related to the care of the human person, that in them it becomes particularly evident how truly necessary is the guidance of love, how truly essential is the link between commitment to the advancement of human knowledge and passionate dedication to the good of man--a creature who suffers and is confronted with the most radical questions about the meaning of life,” Father Lombardi added.

 

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Further information:

• Weekly editorial of Fr Lombardi, SJ: intelligence, faith and love (Vatican Radio)
• Pope tells medical faculty: restore role of faith in research (CWN, 5/3)