January 27, 2017

‘The Pope’s Astronomer’ will speak on Feb. 7 at Brebeuf in Indianapolis

Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, the director of the Vatican Observatory and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, will deliver a presentation titled “The Heavens Proclaim, Astronomy and the Vatican” at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, 2801 W. 86th St. in Indianapolis, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7. The program will be held in the school’s Efroymson Auditorium.

The roots of the Vatican Observatory date back to the Gregorian Reform of the calendar in 1582, and the observatory has been part of the extensive history of Church support for astronomy. Its mission for the last 100 years has been to show there is no inherent conflict between science and religion.

Known as “The Pope’s Astronomer,” Brother Guy’s presentation will look into this history, including a summary of what is being done at the Vatican Observatory today. Brother Guy has earned a doctoral degree in planetary science from the University of Arizona, and has done postdoctoral research at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

If you plan to attend his presentation, please RSVP by Feb. 1. For more information, e-mail Kim DeWaal at kdewaal@brebeuf.org or call 317-524-7128. †

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