CV NEWS FEED // Jonathan Lunine, chief scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, shared the story of his conversion to Catholicism at a Jan. 28 lecture at the University of Southern California’s Caruso Catholic Center.
Lunine, a lifelong astronomer and co-founder of the Society of Catholic Scientists, spoke after Los Angeles’ first-ever Gold Mass for Catholics in the Sciences, which Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated at Our Savior Church, on USC’s campus, Angelus News reported.
In his talk, Lunine recounted his journey from Judaism to Methodism before ultimately embracing Catholicism, influenced by the Jesuit fathers and brothers working at the Vatican Observatory.
“Gradually, my stubborn heart was moved,” Lunine said, according to Angelus News. “I just suddenly realized that it was time to stop running from the one who had comforted me 33 years earlier.”
The event, marking the 800th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas’ birth, was organized as part of a “broader effort to empower Catholic thinkers working in academic and professional circles increasingly dominated by secularist thought,” the outlet reported.
Lunine stressed the need to inspire young Catholics to integrate their faith with scientific achievement, citing historical examples of Catholic scientists. He also addressed common misconceptions about the relationship between science and religion.
“However close science might seem to get to Thomistic philosophy, or however far it might get, science can never be used to prove or disprove the existence of God,” Lunine said.
Lunine also encouraged aspiring Catholic scientists to search for scientific inspiration in the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.
“I urge those of you pursuing a career in science to embrace it,” Lunine said. “Strive to be your best, do great science, and, at the same time, embrace your faith, open your heart to the God who loves you.”