What happens to our faith if we find life out there?

By Marshall Connolly, Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/21/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

The Church says we have no need of worry.

Earlier this week, Astronomers announced the discovery of five more planets outside our solar system, orbiting a sun-like star, just 12 light years away. The finding is amazing because of their proximity and possible location within the star's habitable zone. However, the real story is just how common planets appear to be.

A Jesuit priest looking through the Vatican Observatory telescope.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - This week saw two new planetary announcements. The first was that there are as many as three planets orbiting within the habitable zone of star Gliese 667C. The habitable zone is the region around a star where liquid water, and life as we know it, can exist.

The second announcement is the discovery of as many as five planets around Tau Ceti, a sun-like star just 12 light-years away. The star is so relatively close to us that it is visible to the naked eye. It reportedly has at least one planet within its habitable zone.

These discoveries, if they are confirmed by other scientists, will certainly be exciting, but the real story is just how common planets appear to be. According to a year-old survey published in January, 2012, there could be a minimum of 100 billion planets in the Milky Way galaxy.

With so many planets, the implication becomes stark. Some of these planets must surely be situated within the habitable zones of their parent stars, and on a fraction of those worlds, life, possibly even intelligent, may have evolved.

It does seem strange that our universe should span billions of light years, contain at least 176 billion galaxies, and be entirely devoid of life except on Earth. Indeed, the likelihood of life, even intelligent life, in the Milky Way galaxy alone is so great that virtually all astronomers regard the matter as a certainty.

However, there is no need to begin swapping stories about UFOs or to run for the basement yet. Just as astronomers believe life is certain, they also believe it is extremely unlikely to ever visit Earth. This is mostly a function of the physical and practical limitations of spacefaring, among many other concerns.

Still, the more fundamental and newsworthy question must be grappled with. What are we to do with the likelihood of life beyond our world? What does humanity say to itself when it realizes it is not alone?

Just 20 years ago, there were no other known planets in the universe. Astronomers were certain they were there, they just couldn't detect them. Who knows if in another 20 years we will be able to detect signs of life on them as well?

Sooner or later, it is likely to happen, even if the wait takes a lifetime or more.

According to the Vatican, the discovery won't be a problem for the Church. The Vatican operates an observatory in Arizona, and indeed the Vatican observatory is one of the longest, continually operating astronomical missions in the world.

Jesuit Father Jose Gabriel Funes said in an interview with L'Osservatore Romano, "Astronomers contend that the universe is made up of a hundred billion galaxies, each of which is composed of hundreds of billions of stars. Many of these, or almost all of them, could have planets. How can you exclude that life has developed somewhere else?"

"As there exist many creatures on earth, so there could be other beings, also intelligent, created by God," he told L'Osservatore Romano. "This doesn't contradict our faith because we cannot put limits on the creative freedom of God. To say it as St. Francis, if we consider some earthly creatures as 'brother' and 'sister,' why couldn't we also talk of an 'extraterrestrial brother'? He would also belong to creation."

It may not be long now, before scientists are able to pool their knowledge with that of Father Funes and the Vatican astronomical mission. When that happens, we will find that creation is more wondrous and awesome than we could have ever imagined before. And that will be a glorious day for all, both terrestrial and extra.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: science, space exploration, faith, technology, Marshall Connolly

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1 - 10 of 16 Comments

adam hordos
5 months ago
It is incredible where Catholics have deteriorated, especially some off our leaders to when it comes to the truth. Even if God created a new entity, I am sure he would not let the likes of Darwin reveal this to the world or some stupid telescope. Adam and Eve did not know the Angles existed until they touched the tree off knowledge that is when their eyes were opened to what is know as good and evil. If you have a bible that was written after nineteen sixty four, burn it. All bibles have been re-written to fit mans carnal nature. The only good bible protected by some good people is the Douay-Rheims. Wake-up.
judy claar
5 months ago
Steven, Thank you for your perspective. You are a seeker with an open mind and on the right road. Billy Bean shared a post about C. S. Lewis. He was in the beginning, a lot like you. Questioning. Only his questioning and searching was to prove the Bible wrong. To finally set the record straight...God does not exist. He converted himself in his endeavors. Another good book written by him you might enjoy is: Pilgrim's Progress. He has many.

It is interesting that you say that if all religions were similar, you might believe. Especially if this phenomenon were found on other planet/s. Look no further than the planet Earth on which you now reside!

C. G. Jung, unfolds this in his travels around the Earth, when he was a young M.D. and world renowned famous psychiatrist. When he was 38 years old (about), a reporter asked him if he believed in God. "No," was his answer. In his late 60's or early 70's, he was asked by yet another reporter: "Do you believe in God." He was quiet for a moment or two and said: "I don't believe in God...I Know that their is a God." Profound words from a profound man.

I leave you bits of information, Hoping you never stop Seeking with that wonderful open mind. May the 3 in One, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you always. Prayerful Blessings...
Bram LeBron
5 months ago
It will be funny to see all these religious fanatics getting their karma.
someinternetdude
5 months ago
Lets just say for arguments sake that we do find intelligent life out there. And the Religious people will say "sure God made them too". What would the same religious people say if/when those ETs came down and said no we never heard of this GOD you speak of, we have evolved over millions of years from yada yada yada. What then would the religious people say. Would they say Jesus never got in his space ship and spread the word light years away.
Pete Lucero
5 months ago
May I ask the question? If Pauline Christianity holds water based on "Christ's dying for us...or your faith is in vain" of course finding life elsewhere will pose theological issues specifically that the god-man or human sacrifice would have to repeated for every world. Think! Reason! Now actually believe what our prophets have been delivering and obey. Simple and clear alhamdullilah.
Steven
5 months ago
Im an Agnostic Theist, so I haven't ruled out the possibility of good. But IF we ever find intelligent life and they worship the same or very similar religions, I think that will be proof enough for me. But it can't just be the fact that they think a God exists, the stories, practices and values would have to be the same, other wise I think it will surely raise a lot of doubts for many people who still believe in a God. As for me, I dont believe in any God, but I always remain open minded.
Question Everything
5 months ago
How come the bible doesn't once refer to life outside of earth... I find myself more and more believing in God but the bible has been skewed by man over time... the bible even admits man is not perfect so how could man create a perfect bible?

I love you all!
robert matzinger
5 months ago
How can any man limit God's creations? As God created the heavens and the earth, then surely if "we" find other life elsewhere, then we have simply found another of Gods creations! Why would we be surprised?
Billy Bean
5 months ago
C.S. Lewis had this pegged years ago. Read his "Space Trilogy" ("Out of the Silent Planet"; "Perelandra"; "That Hideous Strength") for a horizon-expanding experience. In a nut-shell: If there is intelligent life on other planets (by no means a foregone conclusion), it presents no theological problem unless the species in question has fallen and has been provided no opportunity for redemption.
nikorb
5 months ago
God is not human, @ hikarus.

It is conceited thought to believe that God's creation is limited only to us humans on earth.
God is infinite love, so what is to stop Him from creating infinite life to share His love with?
The universe is a mystery beyond human comprehension.
Honestly, what do we really know?
Only a few hundred years ago, the sun revolved around the earth (in theory, of course).
The earth revolves around the sun, the universe is constantly expanding, and now there may be other life in our world.

We cannot know everything, but I find it easy to accept that maybe, just maybe, God has made a world big enough for more than just us.
You can argue the point for as long as you would like, but our wishes and beliefs don't change what God has already done.

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