Can you please tell me when and how you came to know Father Stanley Jaki and/or his work?
I met Father Stanley Jaki first time when he came to Rome to give a lecture in the Gregorian University. Some time later I reviewed a book that collected several works of Fr. Jaki translated into Spanish (S.L. Jaki, Ciencia, fe, cultura, ed. Palabra, Madrid 1990; cfr. «Ecclesia» 6 (1992), pp. 317-321). When we began our Science and Faith Diploma Program, we invited Fr. Jaki to give some lectures and after also some intensive courses for our program and we were blessed by his frequent collaboration. I can say we became friends. We have published some books and booklets of Fr. Jaki’s works translated into Italian, and we organized some activities in his honor and memory after his passing (two summer courses, three international conferences), also in collaboration with some other institutions, as San Pablo CEU University, and the so called “Stanley Brigade”, with the precious collaboration of Eng. Antonio Colombo.
What would you highlight from Jaki’s work that you consider to be very relevant in today’s world?
The dialog and collaboration between the scientific and the religious realm. There is no real conflict between them. Fr. Jaki was very clear in distinguishing the different epistemological levels of science and religion, to avoid confusion between them, and also showing the way for a constructive and respectful collaboration.
What do you think is the reason why Jaki is being rediscovered today?
In some way he was a visionary, and he has had a very clear and strong way of thinking and arguing, based on a solid realistic and common-sense ground, sustained with very serious research work. His knowledge of the history of science, as that of philosophy and theology, and of their great protagonists, was very large and profound.
How is your research area related to Jaki’s work?
My research area is very close to his work, as I told answering the first question. For me is very important to clarify the relationship between science and religion, and I find the way to do this very similar to Fr. Jaki’s proposal. I find in his works a source of information and inspiration.
Fr. Rafael Pascual, LC
Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
Rome, Italy
Born in Barcelona, Spain (1959). Member of the Legionaries of Christ since 1976. Ordained Catholic Priest on January 3, 1991.
Doctorate in Philosophy, Gregorian University, Rome (1996), with Summa cum laude.
Professor of the Philosophy Faculty from 1993. Director of the Science and Faith Diploma Program from 2002. Dean of Philosophy Faculty from 2006 to 2015. Director of the Science and Faith Institute from 2010 to 2019, and from 2021 to 2024.
Some Publications:
R. Pascual (ed.), L’evoluzione, crocevia di scienza, filosofia e teologia, Ed. Studium, Roma 2005.
R. Pascual – A. Colombo (eds.), Atti del Convegno Internazionale – Commemorazione di Padre Stanley L. Jaki OSB, nel primo anniversario della sua morte, APRA – IF Press, Roma 2014. L. Guerra Menéndez – R. Pascual – A. Colombo (eds.), Proceedings of the Summer Course. Science and Faith in Stanley Jaki, APRA – IF Press, Roma 2017.
Source of featured image: https://www.unescobiochair.org/2022/11/21/a-conversation-about-arts-inclusion-faith-and-bioethics/