ACADEMY MEMBER SPEAKS ON SCIENCE AT THE SERVICE OF MAN

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 1999 (VIS) - The World Conference on Science, jointly organized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and by the International Council of Scientific Unions, was held in Budapest from June 26 to July 1. Prof. Paul Marie Germain, a member of the Holy See delegation, addressed the assembly on June 30.

In his speech in French, made public today, Prof. Germain, who is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, explained the history, scope and activities of the pontifical academy to the conference.

The precursor of the actual academy was the "Linceorum Academia," founded in Rome in 1603. Over the years it has had different names but was re-established in 1936 by Pope Pius XI, who gave it its current name. Currently, it is the only academy of a supranational character which exists in the world. Germain recalled that it was founded "to promote progress in the mathematical, physical and natural sciences."

He explained that "the academy is an independent body placed under the direct responsibility of the Pope, not the Curia. Its members are chosen on the basis of the originality, quality and scope of their scientific work, their moral personality, without distinction of ethnic group or religion. Catholics are in the minority. There are 80 members. All disciplines and all continents are represented and there is (a favorable) proportion of women."

The Holy See delegate pointed out that the subjects studied by academicians are quite varied, ranging from "knowledge of recent discoveries" to "reflections on philosophical questions" and on "the interaction of the application of sciences in societies." And he recalled, among other activities, the academy's "remarkable initiative" in 1982 of inviting science academies from the whole world to a meeting in Rome to discuss nuclear weapons.

"You can understand," he stated, "why the Holy See accepted with enthusiasm and appreciation to participate in this conference. The Vatican has no laboratories, no industrial enterprises, no army; but the it does have an immense concern for all of mankind and a great interest in scientific ventures, which are a significant and stimulating phase of mankind on the move."

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