Religion, science need each other, Indian archbishop tells conference

(August 22, 2009) Science and religion are allies and partners, not competitors, and true science opens an exciting path to God, an Indian archbishop told a national conference. "Science that studies the universe is an exciting path to God," Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati told a national gathering on "Christian Faith in a World of Science and Technology: Challenges and Opportunities." The Salesian prelate is also chairman of the Commission for Education and Culture under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. The Aug. 18-20 meeting was organized by the bishops' Committee for Science, Religion and Society in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science and Religion. Two Vatican delegates were among 60 bishops, religious superiors and scientists who addressed issues related to the religious, moral and social challenges science poses. Archbishop Menamparampil described the universe as a book of theology, a spiritual treatise. “Mystery has been the underlying principle of religion, art and science as they look into deeper realities,” he said. He later told UCA News that science and religion need each other to appreciate the complexities of the world and the cosmos. "Science and technology can make us only ardent consumers, but religion gives meaningful direction to purposeful life," he explained.