Fr Ennio Mantovani SVD 27 statements are to be understood in this context. They show that he not only remained faithful to the essential ideas of the Church’s tradition, but also has gone beyond, keeping in mind the astounding developments taking place in our contemporary world, thereby preparing the stage for a higher level of engagement. Perhaps what strikes one most, is his overall positive attitude with regard to the language used, issues raised, and responses given. He is appreciative of the unprecedented achievements of contemporary science and is ready to take its findings seriously. At the same time, he does not hesitate to give a gentle reminder concerning the limit to which science can penetrate — the source of the Primeval Atom and the initial stuff of evolution remain beyond the ken of science. He is equally respectful and attentive to the voice of Revelation. The word ‘risks’ is well chosen since it cautions against a literal understanding of the Bible on matters scientific and exhorts the readers to understand and interpret the Bible in the light of the scriptural and scientific scholarship. Another remarkable feature of his intervention is the dialogical spirit he brings into the whole discussion by carefully avoiding concepts and words that can give rise to unnecessary and unhelpful controversies. For instance, while talking of hominisation — the moment of transition from the mere animal to human level — instead of using the traditional idea of the ‘soul,’ he refers to ‘freedom,’ the most distinguishing characteristic of humans. His idea of the partnership between the Creator and humans, particularly scientists, is another remarkably positive move. Since scientists play an important role in actualizing and bringing to fullness the potentialities the Creator has invested in nature, they are collaborating in the great divine plan of the Creator. These and similar observations on the address of Pope Francis make it abundantly clear that his intervention has gone a long way in introducing a new spirit and a new perspective into the ongoing study and reflection on the Big Bang and Evolution in the context of the Christian religion. He has taken a valuable step forward in the most timely task of interfacing constructively and creatively modern science and contemporary Catholicism. Before dealing with Mission and inculturation I would like to add something to my reflections the Big Bang and Evolution. The religion of the digging sticks cultivators of Yobai got me interested in Evolutionism. I worked through several works on the subject beginning with Stephen Hawking A Brief History of Time. As an aside, Stephen Hawking never went beyond the idea of the cultural god of the Israelites which led him to the statement: “So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator. But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundaries or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be. What place, then, for a creator?” My answer is: true, the Creator of the Israelites would be out of place. However, the Eternal Love that communicates herself through Creation is eternal without beginning of end... “having neither beginning nor end”. For me, Hawking confirmed my faith in the Eternal Love revealing and expressing herself in the Big Bang and Evolution. Lately I have read other books on the issue that led me to study the ‘building blocks’ of the world in which we live. I knew about the atoms, the existence of which had been proved by Einstein. Einstein in 1905 mathematically proved the existence of atoms. Now we know 92 kinds of atoms. The atoms, in spite of their name, are not the smallest elements. That led me to the quantum facts. The latest book I bought was that of Nick Herbert. What did I learn from Nick Herbert: Quantum reality. Beyond the New Physics. An Excursion into Metaphysics…and the Meaning of Reality (268 pgs)? What follows is what I pick out from his publication that I regard as relevant. “… one of the best-kept secret of Science is that physicists have lost their grip on reality” Einstein in 1905 mathematically proved the existence of atoms. Now we know 92 kinds of atoms. The atoms, in spite of their name, are not the smallest elements. That led me to the quantum facts.
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