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Skriven 2006-10-25 23:37:32 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                               VIS-Press releases

SCIENCE MUST PROMOTE THE HUMAN SEARCH FOR WHAT IS GOOD

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father visited the
Pontifical Lateran University to mark the opening of the academic year. Prior
to the ceremony, he blessed the institution's new "St. Pius X" library, the
"John Paul II" reading room, and the recently-restored Great Hall, which has
been given the name "Benedict XVI."

After greeting Cardinal Camillo Ruini and Bishop Rino Fisichella, respectively
chancellor and rector of the university, as well as religious and academic
representatives, Benedict XVI addressed some remarks to those present.

"In a context such as that of academia," he said, "we are especially invited to
consider the question of the crisis of culture and identity which recent
decades have, not without drama, faced us. ... The university is one of the
best places to seek appropriate ways to resolve this situation," because it
"safeguards the wealth of living tradition down the centuries. Universities can
reveal the fruitfulness of truth when accepted in all its authenticity," and
"form new generations, who await a serious proposal ... capable of answering
the perennial question about the meaning of their life."

"The contemporary world," he continued, "seems to give pride of place to an
artificial intelligence ever more dominated by experimental techniques and thus
forgetful that science must always defend man and promote his efforts towards
true good. Overestimating 'doing' and obscuring 'being' does not help to
recompose that fundamental balance which everyone needs in order to give life a
firm foundation and a valid goal."

"Mankind," the Pope added, "is called to give meaning to its actions,
especially when they enter the territory of a scientific discovery that
compromises the very essence of personal life. To allow oneself to be carried
away by the joy of discovery, without safeguarding the criteria that arise from
a more profound view, would be to relive the drama of the ancient myth: the
young Icarus, carried away with the desire of flying to absolute freedom ...
got ever closer to the sun, forgetting that the wings upon which he rose to the
skies were made of wax. His fall and death were the price he paid for his
illusion. ... There are other illusions in life that cannot be trusted without
the risk of disastrous consequences for one's own existence and that of
others."

Addressing the university professors, Benedict XVI told them that they have
"the task not only to investigate truth, ... but also to promote knowledge of
every aspect of that truth, defending it from reductive and distorting
interpretations. ... This is of vital importance in order to confer a deeply-
rooted identity on personal life, and to encourage responsibility in social
relationships."

"Understanding the true essence of things, even things of minimal importance,
takes great effort," said the Holy Father quoting the words of Erasmus of
Rotterdam. "This is the effort the university must be committed to make,
through study and research."

"God is the ultimate truth to which all reason naturally tends, impelled by the
desire to fulfill the journey it has been assigned. God is not an empty word or
an abstract hypothesis. ... He is the foundation upon which to build life. ...
Believers know that this God has a face and that with Jesus Christ, once and
for all, He came close to man. ... To know Him is to know the full truth,
thanks to which we find freedom."
BXVI-VISIT/LATERAN UNIVERSITY/... VIS 061023 (580)

SUMMARY

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