Mathematician, philosopher, astronomist, Catholic priest and former director of the Vatican Observatory, Father George V. Coyne is a fascinating real-life representation of the paradoxical battle between science and religion.
With countless scientific works published to his name and a research focus ranging from the lunar surface and Seyfert galaxies to the interstellar medium and birth of stars, the esteemed Rev. Coyne is equally well versed in the history and philosophy of natural science and its longstanding, highly controversial relationship with religious belief.
Father Coyne’s immensely strong roots in the religious community stand as a stark contradiction to his vocal opposition to religious fundamentalism and Intelligent Design – the belief that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.
At age 81, this remarkable scientific priest is hailed as one of the most sought-after presenters in North America, with a rare ability to bridge modern day science with history and religion, while famously opposing the idea of science as it appears in biblical scripture.
