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ORIGINAL: Sophie

Pope names two Nobel laureates to Pontifical Academy of Sciences

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences brings together from around the world 82 scientists -- about one-fourth of whom are Nobel laureates -- to promote scientific research and to examine scientific questions of interest to the church. Members are chosen according to their expertise; most of them are not Catholic.

• Suzanne CORY: Professor of Molecular Biology nominated in 2004 -- from Australia
  
• Nicole M. LE DOUARIN: Professor of Developmental Biology nominated in 1999 -- from France
  
• Rita LEVI-MONTALCINI: Nobel Laureate and Professor of Neurobiology, nominated in 1974 -- from Italy
  
• Beatrice MINTZ:  Senior Member of Genetics, nominated in 1986 -- from United States of America
  
• Vera C. RUBIN: Professor of Astronomy, nominated 1996 -- from United States of America
  
• Maxine F. SINGER: Professor of Biochemistry, nominated in 1986 -- from United States of America

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ORIGINAL: Sophie


the body of Academicians and chosen from men and women of every race and religion based on the high scientific value of their activities and their high moral profile. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifical_academy_of_sciences

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ORIGINAL: Sophie

Dear friend,

I am back more quickly than I thought I could be! Information about the Pontifical Academy was easy to find on the Vatican website. The Academy looks interesting -- a picture of Galileo is featured on its opening page.

As I browsed through the list of the eighty two academicians, I identified six women. They are:

• Suzanne CORY: Professor of Molecular Biology nominated in 2004 -- from Australia
  
• Nicole M. LE DOUARIN: Professor of Developmental Biology nominated in 1999 -- from France
  
• Rita LEVI-MONTALCINI: Nobel Laureate and Professor of Neurobiology, nominated in 1974 -- from Italy
  
• Beatrice MINTZ: Senior Member of Genetics, nominated in 1986 -- from United States of America
  
• Vera C. RUBIN: Professor of Astronomy, nominated 1996 -- from United States of America
  
• Maxine F. SINGER: Professor of Biochemistry, nominated in 1986 -- from United States of America

I hope I didn't miss anyone.

The link to the Academy information is here: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_academies/acdscien/index.htm As you click through the links, you will find pages that explain the history and aim of the Academy, an index of the disciplines included, and a complete list with links that include photos of each academician.

Thanks for the question. I've learned something new.

with love and blessings,
~Sophie~

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ORIGINAL: Sophie

Vatican Prepares World Congress on Woman
To Mark 20 Years Since "Mulieris Dignitatem"

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Women from the world over will gather in Rome next year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter on the dignity of women.

The congress, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, will be titled "Woman and Man, the Fullness of What Is Human," and will take place Feb. 7-9.

Rocío Figueroa, organizer of the event and the director of the pontifical council's section on women, told ZENIT that the congress will gather a wide array of women to reflect on the letter "Mulieris Dignitatem," published Aug. 15, 1988.

"We want women to come from all the five continents," she said. "There will be a delegate from each episcopal conference and there will be representatives and leaders of Catholic associations that promote the woman in the Church and various movements and new communities.

"There will also be academic women who reflect on the theme of the woman as theologians, philosophers and psychologists."

Figueroa said that participation in the congress is by invitation only, and that about 250 people will be invited.

Speakers for the congress have not yet been announced, but Figueroa said that topics for the various talks will focus on themes such as John Paul II's letter on women, Mary and the women of the Gospel, the Christian vision of women and feminine anthropology.

Culture specific

The conference will also address the situation of women in various situations and cultures. Talks will be given on promoting the dignity of women in Asia, the role of women in faith education in Africa, the dignity of women in a technological and consumerist society such as the United States, and the integral formation of women in Latin America.

Figueroa explained, "One of the objectives will be to study in-depth the new cultural paradigms such as the reduction of women to objects of consumption, the ideology of gender and the rejection of motherhood and family, as well as women in the world of work."

She added that the celebration of the letter on the dignity of woman is to mark a milestone in the Church: "It is the first time that a pontifical document speaks specifically on the theme of the woman."

Figueroa pointed out to ZENIT that Benedict XVI has also expressed on several occasions the appreciation that the Church has for the contribution of the woman: "It is enough to cite the catechesis of the general audience of Feb. 14, 2007, dedicated precisely to the woman and her ecclesial responsibility from the first Christian communities until today."


© Innovative Media, Inc.

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The conference will also address the situation of women in various situations and cultures. Talks will be given on promoting the dignity of women in Asia, the role of women in faith education in Africa, the dignity of women in a technological and consumerist society such as the United States, and the integral formation of women in Latin America.