Religious Ethicist Calls for More Resources Explaining New Genetic Science to Parish Clergy/ Conference Proceedings Published on Stem Cell Research and Other Life Concerns

Washington, D.C. ----- In edited conference proceedings just published by FADICA, Dr. Audrey R. Chapman of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, urged foundations to fund more resources explaining genetic science for use in pastoral settings.

"There are relatively few resources in any of the religious traditions, Catholics among them, that are pursuable for pastoral work with members of congregations," declared Dr. Chapman.

Dr. Chapman spoke before an audience of philanthropists earlier this year. The conference considered how best to assist the Catholic church in its efforts to interact and influence the course of scientific research especially in genetics research.

"There is a need for resources for the education of clergy and for lay leadership on a congregational level and within Catholic hospitals," Dr. Chapman said.

The proceedings, entitled: A Matter of Life, Human Dignity and the New Frontier of Genetic Science, contain the views of a dozen speakers and panelists who also addressed life issues such as stem cell research, and human cloning.

Those responding to Dr. Chapman’s presentation included Bishop R. Pierre DuMaine, a member of the Committee on Science and Human Values of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Bishop DuMaine said Dr. Chapman’s research into the dearth of Catholic writing, technical and scholarly on the new genetics left him "startled and dismayed".

Referring to his work with other Catholic bishops on science and human values, Bishop DuMaine confirmed that the USCCB had never undertaken a major publication on the new genetic science, nor had his committee’s dialogues with premiere scientists in genetics ever been brought to publication.

Bishop DuMaine called for a manual or handbook on genetic issues that could be put in the hands of pastoral ministers, clergy, lay ministers and law leaders. "For our pastoral counselors to go into this realm without having a minimal grip on the scientific background could be calamitous," he stated.

Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels, whose talk on Science, Medicine and Human Dignity, also appears in the newly published conference proceedings, notes the special role that Catholic universities can play in bridging the world of science and faith. Cardinal Danneels called on these institutions to sponsor more interfaculty "team work" and dialogue on the great questions presented by new genetic science.

Other speakers and panelists include Charles L. Harper, Vice President of the John Templeton Foundation, Professor Cathleen Kaveny of the University of Notre Dame School of Law, Clarke D. Forsythe, President of Americans United for Life, and Mary Jane Owen, Executive Director of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities.

Copies of the published proceedings, A Matter of Life, may be ordered through this web site at www.fadica.org.

Previous News Releases | Back to Top