Fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., on the Relationship between Science and Religion

"According to the [Pope Francis], Laudato Si’ is an encyclical where he wishes 'to address every person living on this planet.' He desires 'to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home' (§3). Thus, the pope acknowledges that there will be among his audience, 'those who firmly reject the idea of a Creator, or consider it irrelevant, and consequently dismiss as irrational the rich contribution which religions can make towards an integral ecology and the full development of humanity' (§62).

"Nonetheless, the pope affirms that 'science and religion, with their distinctive approaches to understanding reality, can enter into an intense dialogue fruitful for both' (§62). He challenges us to be inclusive in our common desire to solve our ecological crisis: 'If we are truly concerned to develop an ecology capable of remedying the damage we have done, no branch of the sciences and no form of wisdom can be left out, and that includes religion and the language particular to it' (§63)."

In a recent commentary, Rev. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., Associate Professor of Biology and Instructor of Theology at Providence College, Providence, RI, reflected on the relationship between science and religion as described by Pope Francis in his recent encyclical.

 To access Fr. Austriaco's complete essay, please visit:

The BioLogos Forum: The Relationship between Science and Religion According to “Laudato Si’” (23 JUN 15)