2012 Portsmouth Institute Will Examine Relationship Between Science and Faith

The Portsmouth Institute, a conference, study, recreation and retreat center for all those interested in Catholic life, leadership and service in the 21^st Century, has announced an expanded list of speakers for its June 22-24 conference on Modern Science/Ancient Faith. 

“We look forward to welcoming old and new friends alike to and School,” said Dr. James DeVecchi, headmaster, “so that they may become better acquainted with the academic and spiritual excellence that has been nurtured here for the past 80 years on the beautiful shores of Narragansett Bay.”

Speakers will include: Abbot James Wiseman, O.S.B., of Catholic University of America and St. Anselm’s Abbey, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Kenneth Miller, of Brown University; Dr. William Dembski ’78, of Baylor University and the Discovery Institute; Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., of Providence College; Dr. John Haught, of the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University; Dr. Michael Ruse, of Florida State University; Dr. Joseph Semmes '67, of True North Medical Center; and The Rev. Dom Paschal Scotti, O.S.B., of Portsmouth Abbey School. 

Dr. Blake Billings '77, Tim Seeley '77, Robert Sahms and Dom Francis Crowley, O.S.B, all educators at Portsmouth Abbey, will convene a panel exploring the practical implication of teaching both faith and science at an institution such as Portsmouth Abbey School.

“In today’s increasingly secular society, we see a great opportunity to celebrate what Templeton Prize winner Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne has called ‘the friendship of science and religion,’” Portsmouth Institute Director James MacGuire '70 said. “This outstanding lineup of scientists, philosophers and theologians—lay and religious, believers and agnostics—will help us do just that."

"As with last year’s conference on The Catholic Shakespeare?,” MacGuire said, “there will be ample time for prayer, sport, music, humor and friendship in addition to the formal sessions. We welcome any and all who might be interested in our 2012 Modern Science/ Ancient Faith conference to join us on our wonderful campus and we promise that you will leave Portsmouth Abbey refreshed, edified and inspired.”

In addition to scholarly presentations, the Institute will feature a dramatic production based on the life and work of scientist Dom Stanley Jaki, O.S.B., by Kevin O’Brien, founder of Theater of the Word and a frequent EWTN contributor.  There will also be musical presentations including “The Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein and “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copeland.

The topics of previous Portsmouth Institute conferences, which have attracted scholars, theologians, educators and interested participants from throughout the U.S. and the U.K., have included The Catholic Shakespeare?, Newman and the Intellectual Tradition and The Catholic William F. Buckley.

For more information or to register, contact Cindy Waterman at cwaterman@portsmouthabbey.org or 401-643-1244. Please visit the Portsmouth Institute Web site at PortsmouthInstitute.org.