Our aim is to offer courses of specialization that correspond to the objective specified and to promote programs of research on the theme mentioned, thus permitting our students and future doctors to be active in and capable of valuable contribution to current debates between theologians, philosophers and scientists. With this aim we have decided to commit ourselves for the next three years to the theme: "Creationism and Evolutionism" that will be articulated in the organic presentation of the following specific themes: 1) "The Origin of Life in the UNiverse"- 2006-2007, 2) "The LIfe of Man"- 2007-2008, 3) "Creationism & Evolutionism"- 2008-2009.

Concretely the triennial program will proceed by offering, in diverse modalities, an in-depth study that include intensive courses of specialization, public conferences and conventions, and financed programs of research.

 REALLY SOMETHING NEW

 "Science, Faith & Complexity" 

Angelicum-Stoq in collaboration with the University Journal Angelicum, has just published a special volume entitled "Science, Faith & Complexity". The following is the table of contents: 

Albert Bagood, OP - "Presentation of the Special Volume "Science, Faith & Complexity" 

PART I: Science & Faith: Minding Each Other

S. Em.za Paul Poupard- "La fede e la scienza oggi"

Ludger Honnefelder- "Wisdom on the Way of Science: Christian Theology & the Universe of Sciences According to St. Albert the Great"

William Carrol- "Creation & the Foundations of Evolution"

Evandro Agazzi- "Scientific Knowledge & Christian Faith, with Particular Consideration of Evolution Theories"

Stanley Jaki, OSB- The Demarcation Line between Science & Religion"

PART II: Minding Science, Faith & Complexitiy

Giuseppe Del Re- "Orizzonte sapienziale della scienza. Scienza, religione e filosofia: armonia nella complessità"

Alessandro Giuliani- "Semplice e complesso nelle scienze biologiche"

Giovanni Vezzosi- "Relazioni reali divine come condizione necessaria per le distinzioni personali"

Xavier Devadass, OCD- "Complexity & Interculturality"

Albert Bagood, OP- "Complexity System & our Catholic Faith"

If you want to order a copy please contact  Angelicum University Press -< press@pust.urbe.it>

 A very special seminar in Germany!

A closed-door seminar in Germany was organized by DR.-PETRUS BORNE-ZENTRUM of Abtei-Tholey St. Mauritius in collaboration with Angelicum-Stoq and the University of Notre Dame de la Paix in Namur, Belgium. The theme is about "Human Fragility: An Inter-disciplinary Question".  

There were 3 speakers:

Prof. Dominique Lambert- "Fragility:from biology to philosophy of nature" (Dean of Philosophy FUNDP - Namur; ESSAT prize winner 2000)

Dr. Dietrich Wördehoff- "Life is fragile. Sickness and death are aspects of Life" (Medical Specialist of Internal & Palliative Medicine- Saarbrücken)

Prof. Luke Buckles, OP- "The Sacraments and Human Fragility" (Prof. of Theology at PUST- Angelicum & at the Dominican School for Philosophy & Theology in Berkeley, California)

Each of the other participants submitted a scientific paper concerning the theme. 

Dr. Bernard Ars- "When Medical Practice Accompanies the Fragile" (Surgeon & specialist on the rehabilitation of communication dysfunctions; President of Belgian Medical Society; Politzer Prize Winner 1990)

David Doat- "Madness:Revealing a Vulnerable Reason" (Researcher of Dept. of Ethics- Univ. of Lille; Social worker at the Arche Community of mentally disabled)

Prof. Nikolaus Strobach- "Soular Eclipse? Dementia & Mental Disease According to Aristotle & St. Thomas" (Prof. of Analytical Philosophy- University of Saarland; Director of IFOMIS.

Prof. Stipan Juric, OP- "The Fragile & the Vulnerable in the Synoptics" (Prof. of Scriptures at PUST- Angelicum; President of Institute Mater Ecclesiae in Rome)

Prof. Albert Bagood, OP- "The Complexity of Fragile Human Nature" (Prof. of Philosophy of Nature & Philosophy of Science at PUST-Angelicum and Vice-Director of Angelicum-Stoq.

The Proceedings of the Special Seminar and the Collected Papers will be published by "Dr. Petrus Borne Zentrum".

Saturday Course : "The Fragile and Vulnerable Nature from 9.30-11.15 a.m.

On January 23, 2010, the special course on "Human Fragility" at the Angelicum ended with the lecture of the Rector Magnificus Fr. Charles Morerod, OP on "Fragility, Creation & Providence".

The Rector talked about the following points: 1) Ontological fragility of human composite, 2) Ethical fragility, 3) The need of Divine help - existence and dependence, 4) Is a limited nature bad? 5) Human fragility and Providence, 6) Divine Providence & Human Freedom

January 9, 2010 the tenth Saturday Lecture: "Sacraments & Spirituality of the Fragile" by Prof. Luke Buckles, OP -Professor of Spirituality and Sacraments- Theological Faculty (Angelicum. Rome).

Prof Buckles' lecture focused on the following points: 1) "The Meaning of Human Fragility" underlining the human person as the incarnate spirit : a fragile human body and an eternal soul and presenting man as contingent, imperfect being infinitely loved by God!; 2) The Sacraments as the Lord condescending to our fragility and the fragile relationships sustained by grace. In this second part, Prof. Buckles explained that: a) the sacraments are 'fragile' by their nature; b) the celebration of the sacraments is through the instrumentality of a fragile minister, the priest; c) we need the sacraments as divine medicine.

His conclusion recalled the peaceful spiritual pause we had during Christmas and the hope for spiritual progress for this new year. He ended his lecture with these words:

"Faith sees through the poverty and fragility of a new born baby lying in a manger the gift of eternal love expressed in a perfect human way in the Incarnation, the assumption of our fragile human nature forever united to the 2nd Divine Person....(In the Holy Eucharist )more than simply bringing grace & the love & power of Christ, the fragile gifts of bread & wine become substantially the real presence of Christ, source of all grace revealed to our human sight as the humble gifts offered & now transformed into Christ, our living hope who through our fragile humanity has brought into our weakness & brokeness his eternal strentgh, love & wholeness."

December 19, 2009 the ninth Saturday Lecture: "The Fragile and the Vulnerable in the Synoptics" by Prof. S. Juric, OP, President of the Institute Mater Eccle. Angelicum-Rome

Prof Juric spoke about man's privileged status in the eyes of God (Ps 8,5), having been created in God's image. However, by abusing his freedom, man has committed sin and consequently has become fragile & vulnerable (Ps. 103,13-16; Is 40,6-8).

In the Synoptics, Jesus' view of the nature of man corresponds to that of the Old Testament (Mt. 26,41; Mk 14,38), although He did not consider illness as punishment (Lk 13,16; Mt. 20,33-34). The Synoptics present Jesus as the Healer of the whole man (Mk 2:5-12). Moreover, the primary insight of the Synoptics is that diseases have to do with the power of hostile forces which oppose the rule of God (Mk 1:23-24). In Jesus' ministry the 2 kingdoms are pitted against one another.

The healings of the ill in the Synoptics are not only wonders but more so signs of the dawning of God's Kingdom.  Finally, in his healing activity, Jesus' efforts were to raise those who are suffering, to a more advanced degree of spirituality.  

December 12, 2009 the eighth Saturday Lecture: "Human Fragility and God's Omnipotence in the Qu'ran" by Prof. Joseph Ellul, OP- Consultor for Inter-religious Dialogue, Prof. in Systematic Theology and Islam

Prof. J. Ellul presented some insights on the relationship between God & Humanity in Islam, and consequently on the humanity's status in the created world. He did this by analysing the question on human identity in relation to God & human identity in relation to the created world. Prof. Ellul dealt particularly on the following points: 1) "In the beginning. God" in Q. 7:172, Q. 30:30 & Q 33:72, 2) God's mystery & men's obedience, 3) Islam as the natural religion of humanity, 4) Human presumption & weakness, 5) the role of humanity in the created world, 6) Humanity's response.

December 5, 2009 the seventh Saturday Lecture: "Fragile & Vulnerability: Socio-ethical Dimensions" by Prof. Bruce Williams, OP Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Theology

Prof. Williams dealt on the following essential points: 1)Politically ruled society as remedy for human fragility, 2) Politically ruled society as exacerbating human fragility, 3) Politically ruled society as being itself fragile and vulnerable. 

November 28, 2009 the sixth Saturday Lecture: "Vulnerability: Thomism & Medieval Witchcraft" by Prof. Michael Tavuzzi, OP 

November 21, 2009 the fifth Saturday Lecture: "Fragility, Vulnerability & Neuropsychology" by Prof. Andrzej Jastrzebski, OMI

Prof. Jastrzebski talked about 1) the existence of the universe as a dynamic equilibrium of forces, 2) the dynamic equilibrium in the human body- homeostasis, 3) Psychopathology as a lack of equilibrium in the human brain and possible therapy. 

November 14, 2009 the fourth Saturday Lecture: "Juridical Lay, Bioethics and the Fragile" by Prof. Stéphane Bauzon.

Prof. Bauzon spoke about the Universal Declaration on Bioethics & Human Rights, the Notion of Vulnerability in the Philosophy of E. Levinas & its Significance for Medical Ethics & Aesthetics, Vulnerability & Life: bioethics & biopolitics today, Dignitas personae on Certain Bioethical Questions. 

November 7, 2009  the Third Saturday Lecture: Clinical Bioethics of the Fragile & the Vulnerable" by Prof. Raymund Klepanec, OP

Prof. Raymund Klepanec, OP is a professor of bioethics in the Faculty of Medicine in Slovakia. He will also teach Bioethics in the Faculty of Theology of Angelicum next semester.

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October 24, 2009 Second Saturday Lecture: The Fragility and Vulnerability of Nature According to St. Thomas Aquinas by Prof. Alfred Wilder, OP

 Prof. Wilder presented 4 essential points during the lecture: 1. The Fragility in Nature- Fragility is simply speaking an evil; To be sure fragility can be considered at times as something good. 2 Vulnerability in Living Things- Vulnerabili9ty, human or otherwise, is simply speaking also an evil; Sometimes as in the case of fragility, vulnerability can be considered something good; There is a kind of vulnerability in man which is quite peculiarly evil consisting in his ability to wound himself by sinning; 3. A special problem of Human Vulnerability- Can an intelligent being lose his justification? The answer to this specific question constitutes a very serious divergence among Christians. 4. Possible points of convergence between Catholic and Reformed Doctrine on the Question- The best Thomistic thought insists that Christian life normally culminates in this life in the infused prayer of mystical contemplation; There are some private revelations given to canonized Catholic saints to the effect that those who practice certain types of devotion will die in the state of sanctifying grace. 

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October 17, 2009 Saturday the First Lecture: Fragile Nature and Time by Prof. Albert Bagood, OP

Prof. Bagood spoke about an understanding of the word "fragile" using the image of a transportable box containing a Murano chandelier. From St. Thomas' "Vitrum fragile est, et posset fractionis periculum imminere", Fr. Bagood underlined some features of a fragile nature. At the end of the first half of the lecture he concludes that in a certain sense, the  'fragile' can be anyone. In the second part, Prof. Bagood lectured concerning the accompaniment of the fragile. He remarked that in a competitive world of survival of the fittest, the more fragile is in trouble when left alone. He showed that caring for the fragile is an old behavior present also in lower animals. Finally on the 3rd part of the session, Prof. Bagood stressed that for a progressively fragile subject, the interior-personal-lived time is more important than the exterior-measurable-profane time. People surrounding the more fragile may act as mediating instruments of God's loving presence and compassion. Through them, the more fragile may extend her or his vision of a future full of hope.

Procedures concerning the course:

* Besides the Licentiate students of the Faculties of Philosophy and Theology, the series of lectures HUMAN SUFFERING is also extended to students enrolled in the 5^th year of Master of Religious Sciences – Mater Ecclesiae- Faculty of Theology.

* Only students who are officially enrolled in the University can have the right to participate in the  oral exam and consequently earn the academic credits.

(the date of the oral exam will be on February 1, 2009 Monday 9.30 a.m.)

*Guests will be most welcomed to attend the lectures and may sit-in free of charge but their attendance will never be considered in anyway as a credit-earner.

* Enrolled students can miss not more than two lectures. 

*The lecturer will make available his notes in the Office of Angelicum-Stoq one week before his Saturday-lecture. In this way, the office can make photocopies of the notes, and students will be able to avail of and read the text before the lecture.

*For further information please contact: angelicumstoq@yahoo.com

2008-2009

First Semester

1. Course: "Contemporary Atheism " - Prof. C. Morerod (in English)

2. Course: "Psicoanalisi e metodo scientifico" - Prof. C. Ferrandi (in Italian)

3.Course: "The Development of Thomas Aquinas' Theory of Theology as a Science in his Commentary on the Sentences- Prof. W. Senner (in English)

4. Seminar: "Science, Philosophy & Theology: Convergence in Ideas and in Persons - Prof. A. Bagood  (in English)

Second Semester

1. Course: "From Science to Philosophy-Theology" By four professors in Physics, Biology, Philosophy & Theology (in English)

2. Course: "The Concept of Complexity in Science, Philosophy & Theology" - Prof. A. Bagood (in Italian)

3. Course: "The Mereology of Thomas Aquinas & Contemporary Mereologies"- Prof. P.-A. Holzer (in English)

4. Course: "Tommaso D'Aquino: De aeternitate mundi" - Prof. M. Tavuzzi (in Italian)

5. Seminar: "Materia, energia, spirito"- Prof. C. ferrandi (in Italian)

Research Activity

3 orientations

1. The Metaphysics of Creation in St. Thomas

2. Complexity, Simplicity and Teleology in Creation and Evolution

3. The Concept of Causality in St. Thomas and Creation in Science and Revelation

Activity Beyond Rome

We are finalizing negotiations between Angelicum-Stoq and the Dominican Province of Slovakia for a series of lectures from the end of September to early October. Dominican students and Non-Dominican students in a nearby Theological Institute will be invited to the series of lectures on "Science, Theology and Philosophy: Quest for Truth"  

     Something New !

 Science, Philosophy & Theology: What can we say about them? (Angelicum vol.86, no. 1, 2009)

Table of Contents

Presentation of the Special Issue – Albert Bagood,OP-p. 9

I. Faith, Theology and Culture

1.Wojciech Giertych, OP (Province of Poland, theologian of the Papal Household) -"Fides et ratio- Some Inspirations for Moral Theology"- p.15

2. Mons Pascal Ide (Head of the Office for Universities at the Congregation for Catholic Education)- "Les subversions de la figure de l'ange dans le Nouvel Age"- p.25

II. Metaphysical Theology and Science

3. Michael Dodds, OP (Western Province-USA) "Unlocking Divine Causality:  Aquinas, Contemporary Science & Divine Action" p. 67

4. Charles Morerod, OP (Swiss Province, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy-Angelicum)- "Dieu comme cause chez les athées contemporains"- p.87

5.Nicanor Austriaco, OP (Eastern Province-USA)  "The Intelligibility of  Intelligent Design?"- p.103   

III. Philosophers and Science

6.Dominique Lambert, TOP (Belgium Province; Consultor for the Pontifical Council for Culture) -"Plasticité: Lecture blondélienne d'un concept biologique"-p.115

7. Alessandro Salucci, OP (Italian Province of Rome)- "Jacques Maritain e la Biologia.  Alcuni Considerazioni"p.137

8. Anselm Ramelow, OP (Western Province-USA) "The Best of all Possible Sciences- Leibniz' Alternative Beginning of Modern Science"-p. 175

IV. Faith & Culture

9.Maurcio Beuchot, OP (Province of Mexico) "Fe, ciencia y cultura" p. 193

10. Ulrich Engel, OP (Province of Teotonia, Director of Espace Chenu in Berlin) –"Kultur- theologie- Zur rationale Verantwortung des Glaubens vor den Herausforderungen der  Postmoderne" p. 203

11. Christopher Renz, OP (Western Province-USA; Dean of Academics, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology GTU Berkeley, CA)- "Our Daily Bread: Practical Wisdom for Food Purchase & Consumption in a Global Market"-p.215

V. Science, Philosophy & Religion

12. Reginald Slavkovsky, OP (Province of Slovakia; Regent of Studies)-"The Meaning of the Meaning: Logical-rational & Holistic-spiritual Approach"- p.241

13. Peter Hunter, OP (English Province) "Life: Scientific, Philosophical & Theological Perspectives"- p. 249

14. Albert Bagood, OP (Philippine Province, Director of Angelicum-Stoq PUST-Rome)  "Believing Today with St. Thomas Aquinas: Science, Philosophy & Religion" p.261

You can order the special volume from Angelicum University Press E-mail press@pust.urbe.it

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HUMAN SUFFERING & SURVIVAL/ PERSEVERANCE

FIRST SEMESTER Academic Year 2008-2009

On FRIDAYS 15.30-17.15

Prof. A. Wilder: "St. Thomas & Human Suffering" (Oct. 17); Prof. M. Fuss: "Buddhism- Suffering & Liberation" (Oct. 24)Prof. J. Ellul: "The Conception & Experience of Suffering in the Muslim Tradition (Oct.31);Prof. B. Furgalska: "Levinas-Jewish Philosopher's view of Human Suffering" (Nov.7); Prof. S. Juric- "To Suffer & Persevere in the Wisdom Books" (Nov. 14);   Prof. C. Morerod: "Creation & Created Suffering" (Nov. 21); Prof. L. Buckles- "The Spirituality of Human Suffering" (Nov.28); Prof. A. Bagood: "Biology & Philosophy of Suffering & Survival (Dec. 5); Prof. S. Bauzon: "Bioethics of Human Suffering" (Dec. 12); Prof. h. Seidl: "Facing Suffering as Ethical Virtue in Greek Philosophers" (Dec.19); Prof. G. Marcato: "The Johannine Writings & Human Suffering" (Jan. 16);Prof. T. Stancati: "Human Suffering & Perseverance in the Context of Eschatology" (Jan 23)

Science, Theology & Philosophy: Human Suffering (An interdisciplinary Course) 

Angelicum-Stoq opened the series of lectures on "Human Suffering" with Fr. Alfred Wilder's Friday October 17 -presentation of "St. Thomas  & Human Suffering". 

On Nov. 21, Prof. Charles Morerod, OP, the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Angelicum, presented his lecture on "Creation & Created Suffering". He discussed the following points: 1) Creation as all things coming from God, 2) In a certain sense, creatures are not equal and so are human beings among themselves, 3) Some evil as natural part of creation and the involvement of the Divine, 4) A Christian view of "Suffering with Christ". Prof. Morerod ended his lecture by saying that "A suffering being implies a Creator.

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The last lecture of the course "Human Suffering" was presented by Prof. Tommaso Stancati, OP who talked about "Human Suffering & Perseverance in the Context of Escathology". He discussed 1) The escathological dimension of Christian Faith & Christian Theology 2) Death as the greatest expression of human suffering 3) The providential structure of created man: survival & subsistence of the soul after the death of the body 4) The Christological solution to the problem of death and the Christian death.

 COLLOQUIUM IN GERMANY

(The participants of the colloquium from left: Prof. Laura Rizzerio, Prof. Niko Strobach, Prof. Albert Bagood, Dr. Bernard Ars, Dr. Dietrich Wördehoff, Matthias Naumann, David Doat & Prof. Dominique Lambert)

On February 12-13 2010, "Dr. Petrus Borne Zentrum" of Abtei-Tholey in Germany formally opened with a colloquium dedicated to the theme "Human Fragility". The meeting of the experts coincided with the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. Petrus Borne, a professor in philosophy and the first abbot of the re-founded abbey of Tholey, and from which the name of the Zentrum for spirituality and culture was derived. 

Fragility is a concpet that is applicable to different conditions in natural sciences, medicine, and cultural phenomenon or simply to the inherent nature of man. Well-known experts and thinkers from different field participated in the colloquium.

The physicist & philosopher Prof. Dominique Lambert (Namur, Belgium) opened the session with a conference showing that fragility is not totally negative as such, but may also be an opportunity for humanization within the context of plasticity. A second conference presented by internist and palliative specialist Dr. Dietrich Wördehoff (Saarbrücken) gave a special focus on the fragility of hospital patients with incurable diseases. Quality of life, communication and patient listening are some key points in his lecture. The third conference was on "Fragility & the Sacraments" prepared by Prof. Luke Buckles, OP (Rome/California). By reason of bad weather he was not able to come and so Prof. Albert Bagood, the organizer of the colloquium presented Prof. Buckles´text and commented on some points of the text.

All participants enjoyed and admired the hospitality of the Abbey of Tholey and of the Prior P. Mauritius OSB, and the constructive and professional high level discussions that transpired during the weekend activity.

A tour of this historical Abbey with the oldest 'Abteikircke' in Germany was conducted by the Tholeyer historian Johannes Naumann.

SLOVAKIA LECTURES Sept. 22-23

A series of lectures, held on Sept. 22-23 in Slovakia, was organized by Rev. Fr. Reginald Adrian Slavkovsky, OP, Fr. Damian Juraj Macura, OP and Rev. Fr. Albert Bagood, OP with the general theme: "Faith & the Natural Sciences: Approaches". Fr. Bagood presented 3 lectures: 1) Science & Faith: 4 Principal Approaches; 2) Faith & Evolution: marriage- evolution within creation; 3) Complexity & Belief. Angelicum-Stoq appreciates the warm welcome and interest of the participants in the lectures.

 CONFERENCE: 

SCIENCE & FAITH TODAY- May 21, 2009

The most distinguished speaker of the month of May in Angelicum-Stoq, His Eminence Cardinal Poupard was introduced by Prof. Albert Bagood, OP. The president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture insisted that science and faith are not contradictory but complementary. Faith without reason is dangerous, and science without conscience ruins the soul. The problem of reviving this complementary relationship is intensely coloured by our contemporary culture that is not so much favourable to faith. For this reason, there is a need for a dialogue in which each side conserves its identity and responsibility to search for and contemplate the truth. They are reciprocally fruitful. Science explains while faith loves i.e., love for truth and  truth for love.

Just before the start of the conference, His Eminence Cardinal Poupard was met by (from the left) Fr. Loic-Marie Le Bot, OP the prior of the Convent in Angelicum, Rev. Fr. Joseph Agius, OP, the Rector Magnificus of Angelicum and Rev Fr. Bruno Esposito, OP the Vice-Rector.

After shaking the hands of the attending audience, His Eminence joined the professors, students and guests for a simple refreshment. We thank His Eminence for his inspiring and lively presence and for his clear and precise talk on 'Science & Faith Today'. 

Fides et ratio - January 16 2009

 Cardinal Georges Cottier delicately  underlined the mutual implication between faith and reason.  On one hand, reason alone cannot penetrate the mystery of God. It needs grace but this does not imply contradiction rather a completion of reason’s desire for the Perfect Truth. On the other hand, man is by nature a philosopher and Fides et ratio recalls the exigency of philosophy presented to theologians. Our day is marked by a crisis of mistrust in the capacity of reason. Faith recalls reason’s vocation  to truth in the midst of diverse ‘isms’ among others, scientism, pragmatism, nihilism.

Rev Fr. Wojciech Giertych, OP , the actual theologian of the Papal Household, lectured on Fides et ratio- Inspirations for Moral Theology. He explained the following points: 1)At the basis of everything: the revealed mystery 2) Faith is a gift "planted" in the mind 3) The cognitive capacities of the natural reason 4) Applications for Moral Theology.  

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Prof. Carroll's Conference on Creation & Evolution

Prof. William Carroll presented a conference on "Creation and the Foundation of Evolution".  This conference of Nov. 14, 2008, opened this year's series of public international conferences on Dialogue between Science & Theology through the mediation of Philosophy.

Prof. Carrol examined the ways in which creation and evolution have been opposed, and argued that a return to Thomas Aquinas' analysis of creation and the natural sciences offers considerable promise for disentangling much of the contemporary confusion about the relationship between creation and evolution.

UPDATE ON

Considering Nature: An interdisciplinary Course 2° Semester

PART-I on Physics: LAMBERT-LECTURES

Prof. Dominique Lambert from University of Notre-Dame de la Paix Namur in Belgium lectured for 3 consecutive days (February 25-27) on Contemporary Physics, Cosmological Models and Anthropic Principle. 

PART II - on Biology: GIULIANI-LECTURES 

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Giuliani, a first-rank researcher on the computational & experimental carcinogenesis unit of Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome gave 3-successive days of lectures on General Biology, Evolution, Molecular Biology & Bio-Complexity from March 25-27 at the Angelicum-Rome.  

PART III- on Philosophy: BAGOOD-LECTURES

Prof. Albert Bagood, OP a philosopher, lectured on the concept of Nature as considered by science and philosophy. In a way both science & philosophy enter the territory of transcendence and this is not a fault but rather a necessity. The final day of the series of lectures was dedicated to the study of complex system approach to nature. Prof. Bagood lectured from April 28-30.

PART IV- on Theology: Lectures from 3 theologians 

On May 20, Prof. Luke Buckles, OP lectured  on "Seeing God in the Beauty of Nature within the context of Spiritual Theology". He made use of the lives and the teachings of S. Augustine and St. Francis to anchor his explanations on the topic.

 Prof. Carsten Barwasser, OP presented his lecture on May 21 entitled "Faith and Reason". He discussed the following points: 1) The aspects of theology & the theory of sciences; 2) the presuppositions of theology; 3) Theology-faith and science on a common productive ground with the use of human freedom.

In his lecture on "Theology of Creation" Prof. Gilles Emery, OP developed the following topics: 1) Creation ex nihilo; 2) Trinity & Creation; 3) The unity of the economy of creation and grace; 4) God as the End of creatures: Participation in God's goodness; 5) Duplex ordo: The intrinsic dignity of the created order, and its relation to God; 6) Creation as a relation. 

DPDC MEETING 2009 : Angelicum Aula Minor

 The Annual DPDC Meeting was held on March 9-11 at Hotel Pace Helvetia in Rome. The Angelicum-Stoq Director Prof. Albert Bagood, OP is shown in the photo wearing the Dominican white habit. A part of the meeting had to be held at Angelicum's Aula Minor. This was the Common Session on "The Natural Sciences in the Work of Theologians: Is scientific knowledge relevant to theology?" The speakers for this session were Prof. Fr. Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti of the Pontifical University Of Holy Cross and Prof. Robert Russell, director of CTNS in Berkeley, California. Rev Tomaz Trafny, the executive coordinator of the Stoq Project at the Pontifical Council for Culture is shown in the photo seated between the two speakers. Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture graced the occassion with his opening remarks, also in the presence of Angelicum's Rector magnificus Rev. Fr. Joseph Agius, OP.