Pope Benedict XVI has praised the cosmic vision of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the Jesuit scientist and philosopher whose work has been out of favor with the Vatican in years past. Speaking about St. Paul’s vision that the world itself will one day become a form of living worship, the Pope said, “It’s the great vision that later Teilhard de Chardin also had: At the end we will have a true cosmic liturgy, where the cosmos becomes a living host. “Let’s pray to the Lord that he help us be priests in this sense,” the pope said, “to help in the transformation of the world in adoration of God, beginning with ourselves.”
John Allen writes a full account of the possible “rehabilitation” of Teilhard.
I have read the Phenomenon of Man, (most of) the Future of Man, and I am reading The Singularity is Near (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singularity_Is_Near). I am astounded by the prescience of Teilhard’s vision, and would enjoy chatting with anyone who is as impressed by Teilhard as I am.
Stephen I read Teilhard’s Phenomenom of Man over 40 years ago. I recently joined a book club at my church in Shresbury MA. Once again I was more impressed with interpretations by Ilio D’elia. We attended a talk given by her at the Boston College School of Theology. I would suggest you go on line and watch her presentation at the BC School of Theology website. It was presented on a beautiful Saturday morning in July and she packed the house and with good reason. I think you will find much insight, insight and context about his thoughts and how they fit in to the bigger picture. His vision is in many ways being validated by recent discoveries about man and his universe. I hope you find it as thought provoking as I did
Regards,
Jerome
Stephen I recently joined a Teilhard group on facebook. You should check it out.
It’s been many years since I read The Phenomenon of Man or The Divine Milieu but I don’t think Teilhard got in trouble for the cosmic end, did he? I think the suppressed teaching was his evolutionary means which seemed to obviate the grace of the cross. I will stand for correction on this.