Discovering the Franciscan Vision of Nature
Speaking and writing about the Franciscan view of nature in a scientifically understood world.
“Faith and science can be united in charity, provided that science is put at the service of the men and women of our time.”
Pope Francis, address for the 2024 Lemaître Conference at the Vatican Observatory
Our Modern Age
Is marked by great—though incomplete—successes:
Humanity In Nature
There is more to nature and human nature than science can see, such as natural rights, values, and obligations. But how do we bring together these human concerns with science and its reductionist approach in this larger context?
How can we express that human rights are as obviously part of human nature as human DNA?
A Warm Invitation
“Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,” writes St. Francis. Let us explore, with full trust that all that God created is meaningful, what philosophy, science, and the Franciscan tradition have to say about nature. But in the end:
It is about taking advantage of knowledge of nature in living a Christian life.
About The Author
Joachim Ostermann lives in Montreal as a member of the Canadian Province of the Order of Friars Minor. After a career in academia and biotechnology companies in the US and Canada, he began anew and became a Franciscan friar. He is interested in the relationships between modern science, the Franciscan view of nature, and Christian faith.