Vatican preparing statement on extraterrestrial life | Exopolitics.org
Pope Francis is reportedly preparing a major world statement about extraterrestrial life and its theological implications. Rosana Ubanell from Voxxi News today reported that due to advances in scientific detection methods for the discovery of extraterrestrial life, Pope Francis wants to be ready with a statement about “First Contact”. Ubanell reports that details have yet to be officially announced but that the Vatican’s interest in extraterrestrial life is well documented through recent astrobiology conferences the Vatican Observatory has sponsored or participated in. Father Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit astronomer and one of the leading Catholic proponents for preparing for the scientific discovery of extraterrestrial life, on July 18, won the Carl Sagan science medal from the American Astronomical Society. Pope Francis, a fellow Jesuit, regularly consults with Consolmagno and other leading Vatican astronomers about scientific issues. It is likely that Pope Francis is preparing an “Urbi et Orbi” speech – Latin for “to the city [of Rome] and the world” – about First Contact with extraterrestrial life.
The Vatican’s scientific interest in
extraterrestrial life was publicly revealed for the first time in May
2008 when the head of the Vatican Observatory, Fr Gabriel Funes, also a
Jesuit, gave an interview to the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore
Romano. Funes made a series of startling statements about how
extraterrestrial life is likely to be more ethically evolved than
humans, and can be welcomed as brothers. In his interview, which was
titled “The extraterrestrial is my brother,” Funes said
that intelligent extraterrestrial life may not have experienced a
‘fall’, and may be “free from Original Sin … [remaining] in full
friendship with their creator.” This makes it possible to regard them as
‘our brothers’ as Funes explained:
Just as there is a multiplicity of creatures on earth, there can be other beings, even intelligent, created by God. This is not in contrast with our faith because we can’t put limits on God’s creative freedom… “Why can’t we speak of a ‘brother extraterrestrial’? It would still be part of creation…
Most importantly, Funes’ statement makes possible the idea that Christianity can be exported to extraterrestrial worlds that have not experienced a ‘fall’ and are free from original sin.
Just over a year after his interview, Funes was the organizer of the first ever Astrobiology Symposium held
by Pontifical Academy of Sciences in November 2009. Consolmagno and
Funes have ever since played leading roles for the Vatican Observatory
in presenting a theological perspective on the discovery of
extraterrestrial life. Most importantly, both have been leading advisors
to Pope Francis about scientific issues concerning the discovery of
extraterrestrial life.
What is likely to be the content of Pope Francis’ upcoming statement or
possible “Urbi et Orbi” speech about alien life? An important clue is a
forthcoming presentation by Fr. Consolmagno at a September 18-19, 2014, astrobiology symposium organized by NASA and the Library of Congress that
is titled: “Preparing for Discovery: A Rational Approach to the
Implications of Finding Microbial, Complex or Intelligent Life Beyond
Earth.”
Consolmagno is a featured presenter and will discuss the theological implications of discovering alien life. His topic,
“Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?” suggests that Pope Francis
agrees that extraterrestrials are capable of the higher ethics involved
in understanding the Christian message and becoming Christians.
If Pope Francis is indeed preparing a statement about extraterrestrial
life, it is likely to emphasize that there is no incompatibility in
Christian teachings with a belief in extraterrestrial life as Fr. Funes
proposed in May 2008. More importantly, Pope Francis is likely to
emphasize themes of extraterrestrials: not sharing in original sin;
being more ethically evolved; and being capable of sharing the Christian
message, and being our brothers.
Not all will welcome a statement from Pope
Francis advocating extraterrestrials as brothers and worthy of being
baptized into the Christian faith. According to Chris Putnam and Tom
Horn, authors of Exovaticana, Pope Francis I is preparing to
lead the Catholic Church to embrace aliens as “brothers in Christ” –
reflective of the 1950s and 1960s contactee reports of benevolent “space
brothers.” Putnam’s and Horn’s Exovaticana portends a future religious war
between those accepting extraterrestrials as “brothers in Christ” and
those believing them to be returning demons about to enslave us. Despite
the extensive scholarship found in Exovaticana, it
unfortunately skews data towards an overly negative assessment of the
motivations of extraterrestrial visitors. Thankfully, the Vatican’s
evolving public position, as reflected by statements from its leading
astronomers, shows a far more enlightened stance on how to consider the
discovery of alien life from a theological perspective. A statement or
“Urbi et Orbi” speech from Pope Francis expounding on various themes
associated with the view that extraterrestrials are potential “brothers
in Christ’ is a welcome position to take on a controversial issue with
major world significance.
© Copyright 2014. Michael E. Salla, Ph.D.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that the "aliens" would want to convert from advanced spiritual understanding to an archaic religion...but at least he's open-minded.
ReplyDeletePope Francis says he would baptise aliens: ‘Who are we to close doors?’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-says-he-would-baptise-aliens-9360632.html
Marine after 17 years on Mars authorized to reveal truth for US National Security
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I6QW-3ZEBE&feature=youtu.be
In March 2014 “Captain Kaye,” whose real name is Randy Cramer, came forward to reveal that he had spent 17 on Mars as part of a highly classified program called the Mars Defense Force. He then claims to have spent almost three years with a secret space fleet called the Earth Defense Force where he flew antigravity vehicles throughout the solar system and was promoted to Captain. In his most recent interview with ExoNews TV, Cramer reveals that about a year ago he was contacted by his military superiors to disclose the truth about his covert service on Mars and time with the Secret Space Fleet.
To listen to Skype Recording of Interview, go to:
http://youtu.be/NXg8p4ohplU