Faith and Science at Notre Dame

John P. Slattery

Description

The Reverend John Augustine Zahm, CSC, (1851--1921) was a Holy Cross priest, an author, a South American explorer, and a science professor and vice president at the University of Notre Dame, the latter at the age of twenty-five. Through his scientific writings, Zahm argued that Roman Catholicism was fully compatible with an evolutionary view of biological systems. Ultimately Zahm’s ideas were not accepted in his lifetime and he was prohibited from discussing evolution and Catholicism, although he remained an active priest for more than two decades after his censure.

In Faith and Science at Notre Dame: John Zahm, Evolution, and the Catholic Church, John Slattery charts the rise and fall of Zahm, examining his ascension to international fame in bridging evolution and Catholicism and shedding new light on his ultimate downfall via censure by the Congregation of the Index of Prohibited Books. Slattery presents previously unknown archival letters and reports that allow Zahm’s censure to be fully understood in the light of broader scientific, theological, and philosophical movements within the Catholic Church and around the world.

Faith and Science at Notre Dame weaves together a vast array of threads to tell a compelling new story of the late nineteenth century. The result is a complex and thrilling tale of Neo-Scholasticism, Notre Dame, empirical science, and the simple faith of an Indiana priest. The book, which includes a new translation of the 1864 Syllabus of Errors, will appeal to those interested in Notre Dame and Catholic history, scholars of science and religion, and general readers seeking to understand the relationship between faith and science.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian Church
• Notre Dame
• Catholic
• Christianity
• History
• Science

Informations

• Publié par: University of Notre Dame Press
• Date de parution: 31 août 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780268106119
• Langue: English

Extrait

Faith and Science at Notre Dame
JOHN P. SLATTERY
_________________________________________________
FAITH AND SCIENCE AT
NOTRE DAME
___________ JOHN ZAHM, EVOLUTION, ___________ AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
University of Notre Dame Press
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
undpress.nd.edu
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2019 by University of Notre Dame
Published in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Slattery, John P., author.
Title: Faith and science at Notre Dame : John Zahm, evolution, and the Catholic Church / John P. Slattery.
Other titles: Old science, new problems
Description: Notre Dame, Indiana : University of Notre Dame Press, [2019] | Revision of author's thesis (doctoral)-University of Notre Dame, 2017 titled Old science, new problems : a theological analysis of John Zahm's attempt to bridge evolution and Roman Catholicism. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019021568 (print) | LCCN 2019981572 (ebook) | ISBN 9780268106096 (hardback) | ISBN 0268106096 (hardback) | ISBN 9780268106126 (pdf) | ISBN 9780268106119 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Zahm, J. A. (John Augustine), 1851-1921. | Catholic Church-United States-Clergy-Biography. | University of Notre Dame-Faculty-Biography. | Evolution (Biology)-Religious aspects-Catholic Church. | Religion and science-History.
Classification: LCC BX4705.Z234 S53 2019 (print) | LCC BX4705.Z234 (ebook) | DDC 231.7/652092-dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019021568
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019981572
∞ This book is printed on acid-free paper.
This e-Book was converted from the original source file by a third-party vendor. Readers who notice any formatting, textual, or readability issues are encouraged to contact the publisher at [e-mail]
To Kristen, my love.
CONTENTS
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
Chronology of John Zahm’s Life and Major Events, 1851–1921
Introduction
CHAPTER 1
Setting the Stage: A Historical Background
CHAPTER 2
The Rise and Fall of John Zahm, CSC: A New Biographical Sketch
CHAPTER 3
The Scientific Mind of John Zahm, CSC: From Francis Bacon to Charles Darwin

CHAPTER 4
The Development of Catholic Teachings on Science, Faith, and Reason in the Nineteenth Century
CHAPTER 5
Trials and Tribulations
APPENDIX A
A New Translation of the 1864 Syllabus of Modern Errors
APPENDIX B
An English Translation of Otto Zardetti’s Condemnation
Notes
Bibliography
Index
TABLES Table 2.1 From Carrier to Zahm: Handing the Baton of Notre Dame Science Table 3.1 A Comprehensive List of Zahm’s University Coursework Table 3.2 Zahm’s Science Courses, Professors, and Textbooks Table 4.1 The Pope versus Modernity: From the French Revolution to Aeterni Patris Table 4.2 Syllabus of Modern Errors, Section Headings Table 4.3 Final Version of Dei Filius , Chapter Headings Table 4.4 A Long History of Aeterni Patris : Neo-Scholasticism, 1814–79 Table 4.5 The Five Sections of Aeterni Patris Table 5.1 Timeline of Trial and Censure of John Zahm
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to thank the countless archivists and librarians who assisted me on the long journey to completing this project, especially those at the University of Notre Dame and Saint Paul School of Theology. I will always have a deep appreciation for libraries and librarians, no matter how technological this world becomes. Second, I would like to thank the Nanovic Center, the Sciola family, and the Rome Research Program for funding my travels to the Archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Vatican City. This book would have been impossible without the newly uncovered documents and ideas I found while in Rome.
Third, I would like to thank the many colleagues who assisted me in preparation of this book: Matt Ashley, Don Howard, Bob Krieg, and Celia Deane-Drummond at the University of Notre Dame; and Nancy Howell, Kris Kvam, and Logan Wright at Saint Paul School of Theology. While any mistakes in the manuscript are mine alone, I am extraordinarily grateful for the countless comments, suggestions, and edits that were suggested to me over the past few years.
Finally, this book would not have been possible without the loving support of my family, including my wonderful children, Lucy, Finn, Blaise, and Kittiarra, who keep my theology grounded with the innumerable adventures offered by parenting. And lastly, deepest thanks and love to my wife, Kristen, to whom I literally owe this entire journey of graduate school, and with whom I look to the future in hope.
ABBREVIATIONS
Archives and Collections ACDF Archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Vatican City. APC Archives Province Canadienne de la Congrégation de Sainte-Croix. Montr é al, Quebec. CSCA Archives of United States Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Notre Dame, Indiana. JCC Joseph Carrier Collection. Archives Province Canadienne de la Congrégation de Sainte-Croix. Montr é al, Quebec. JZA John Augustine Zahm Papers. University of Notre Dame Archives. Notre Dame, Indiana. JZC John Augustine Zahm Collection. Archives of the United States Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Notre Dame, Indiana. UNDA University of Notre Dame Archives. Notre Dame, Indiana.
Papal Encyclicals and Conciliar Documents AP Aeterni Patris Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter (August 4, 1879), in Acta Sanctae Sedis 12 (1879): 97–115, http://www.vatican.va /archive/ass/documents/ASS-12-1879-ocr.pdf . English trans., http://w2.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals /documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_04081879_aeterni-patris.html . DF Dei Filius First Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution (April 24, 1870), in Acta Santae Sedis 5 (1869–70): 484–90, http://www.vatican.va/archive/ass/documents/ASS-05-1869-70 -ocr.pdf. English trans., Dei Filius , in Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils , 2 vols. ed. Norman P. Tanner, SJ, 2:804–11 (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 1990). QC Quanta Cura Pope Pius IX, Encyclical Letter (December 8, 1864), in Acta Santae Sedis 3 (1867): 160–167, http://www.vatican .va/archive/ass/documents/ASS-03-1867-ocr.pdf. English trans. updated from Pope Pius IX, “Text and Translation of the Encyclical and Syllabus,” Dublin Review 4, no. 56 (1865): 500–511.
CHRONOLOGY OF JOHN ZAHM’S LIFE AND MAJOR EVENTS, 1851–1921 1851 Born 14 June, the second of fourteen children, to Jacob and Mary Ellen Zahm in New Lexington, Ohio. 1863 Moves to Huntington, Indiana, with parents. Educated at SS Peter and Paul School. 1867 After receiving warm welcome letter from Fr. Sorin, moves to Notre Dame, 3 December, to begin studies to become priest. 1871 Publishes “Thoughts on Science” in Notre Dame’s student magazine, Scholastic . Graduates with bachelor of arts degree, 21 June. Enters novitiate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 11 September. Begins teaching. 1875 Ordained to the priesthood, 4 June. Promoted to professor of chemistry and physics. 1879 Fire at Notre Dame destroys nearly entire scientific collection, sending Zahm on a new mission of recovery for university, including redesigning fire-prevention systems. 1883 Delivers lecture in Denver, Colorado, “Catholic Church and Modern Science.” 1885–92 Named vice president of the University of Notre Dame. Begins speaking more about evolution and Catholicism. 1892 Cements reputation as scientist with publication of Sound and Music. 1893 Presents a course of five lectures, “Science and Revealed Religion,” at the Catholic Summer School in Plattsburg, New York, skyrocketing him onto national debate. 1894–98 Publishes numerous articles and pamphlets on science and Catholicism. Receives pontifical doctorate in 1895. 1896 Publishes Evolution and Dogma. 1898 Receives notice from Congregation of the Index to submit and retract Evolution and Dogma . Fr. Gilbert Français, superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and Zahm’s friends, fight against official publication of censure. Appointed provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Vigorously pushes for a grand vision of Notre Dame but meets internal conflict. 1899 Compromise with Congregation of the Index reached. Zahm redacts Italian and French translations of Evolution and Dogma , agrees never to write on subject again in return for censure not being promulgated and book not being placed on the index. 1906 Loses reelection as provincial and position of power in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Begins traveling and writing, never again teaching or administering at Notre Dame. 1907–21 Travels to South America several times, then to Europe and the Middle East, while writing nearly a dozen books on science and the physical world. 1921 10 November. Dies at a hospital in Munich, Germany, while researching next book.
Sources : Weber, Notre Dame’s John Zahm ; Morrison, “A History of American Catholic Opinion”; Cavanaugh, “Father Zahm,” 577–88; Marieli Benziger, “The Last Journey,” JZA, UNDA; Carroll, “Mind in Action”; and O’Connor, “John A. Zahm, C.S.C.,” 435–62.
Introduction
My sole, ardent desire, has been to show that there is nothing in true science, nothing in Evolution, when properly understood, which is contrary to Scripture or Catholic teaching; that, on the contrary, when viewed in the light of Christian philosophy and theology, there is much in Evolution to admire, much that is ennobling and inspiring, much that illustrates and corroborates the truths of faith, much that may be made ancillary to revelation and religion, much that throws new light on the mysteries of creation, much that unifies and coordinates what were otherwise disconnected and disparate, much that exalts our ideas of creative power and wisdom and love, much, in fine, that makes the whole circle of sciences tend, as never before, ad majorem Dei gloriam.
—Rev. John A. Zahm, CSC,
Evolution and Dogma (1896)
While John Zahm’s name is n