Archbishop of Sydney

Remarks at the Launch of Faith and Reason: Friends or Foes in the New Millennium?

Australian Catholic University, North Sydney

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
21 April 2004

People who are not as well informed as they might be sometimes suggest Pope John Paul II is out of step with the contemporary world. In fact, of course, he is one of the most significant figures in the development of our contemporary society, having contributed broadly and positively to religious dialogue, politics, ethics, healthcare, art, education: the list goes on and on.

The Pope's contribution to Church and wider society is contemporary, orthodox, and rational. It is as philosophically astute and socially relevant as it is theologically faithful.

The Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio (1998) is one of the finest treatments of faith and reason, theology and philosophy, in the long and distinguished Catholic history of contributing to these topics. The Encyclical marks many milestones. Two that I would mention particularly tonight are: the Pope's absolute conviction that the search for objective truth is at the base of all we do; and his request that theologians base their theologising on sound philosophy.

Much is said about the deep reasons for conflict and division in society and in the Church. The Pope believes that basic to present errors and discord are misconceptions of the truth, or even attempts to discard truth altogether. No ordinary person thinks like this. Truth matters to us all, and it is a specific Catholic contribution to speak up for objective truth wherever we think that it is threatened. Part of this commitment is the Church's requirement that theology be based on sound philosophy. This does not just help theologians in their search for truth: it also makes possible mature dialogue between theologians and philosophers—dialogue that respects the differences but acknowledges the significance of man's thought and God's revelation.

I was delighted at the time that the Archdiocese of Melbourne, together with ACU and Professor Rai Gaita, was able to support a conference on this great Encyclical. The Conference attracted perhaps the finest field of Catholic theologians and philosophers ever to assemble in Australia . I was pleased too that many non-Catholics joined in these proceedings, as speakers and participants.

Now, I am very happy to welcome this textbook as the latest fruit of that Conference. It is also, of course, the beginnings of a new collaboration between ACU and ATF Press. That too is something to be welcomed and encouraged. The papers in Faith and Reason: Friends Or Foes In The New Millennium? are challenging, and I believe that theologians and philosophers need that continuing challenge. After all, this is an Encyclical which will go on framing the debate for many long years to come.

And, we should remember, this is not just an academic debate. It is a debate about the place of truth in human life, and the relation of truth-seeking human beings to God and to the Church. Nevertheless, the academic debate must take place. We look to colleges and universities such as ACU for continued scholarship and teaching on ‘faithful reason': reason guided and formed by Church teaching; and faith that guides and forms a Catholic philosophy of life. Our philosophy of life is at least as rationally persuasive as any alternative view—and that is something Catholic academics can help the Catholic community better understand and take pride in.

It is a matter of particular regret to me that I could not be present for the conference evening on which Professors J. J. C. Smart and John Haldane re-ran the debate of their best-selling book Atheism and Theism. This is the sort of intelligent and respectful debate between people of widely divergent views that we used to find in Catholic circles, and that we so much need again today. Against those who assert that religion is all a matter of ‘private opinion' or ‘local culture', such a debate responds: ‘no; this is a serious topic which we must discuss intelligently in order to reach the truth.' I very much hope that this book helps encourage such an approach, and I am grateful to both our atheist and our theist for the example of reasoned dialogue they provided.

So I congratulate Bishop Fisher and Professor Ramsay as the editors, and all the contributors to what is a rich and rewarding intellectual feast. I am pleased to see some local names, and I am pleased too to see some very distinguished academic visitors to our shores. The Pope compares faith and reason to two wings on a bird. Let us hope that bird continues to soar with the launch of these latest scholarly commentaries.

* Faith and Reason: Friends or Foes in the New Millennium? Edited by Anthony Fisher OP & Hayden Ramsay. ATF Press (ACU Series), Adelaide: 2004.