A part of the Vatican in our own backyard
Oswego, NY- Father George Coyne is a world-renowned scientist and Jesuit priest who has found himself in the 315-area code. Until recently, the Vatican Observatory located in Rome Italy, had employed Coyne for 28 years. Remarkably, Le Moyne College has recently drawn the attention of Coyne, as he is currently a professor there.
“I promoted Pluto, not demoted it, Pluto is a very strange planet,” Coyne said, when asked about his work in the promotion of Pluto from a planet to a Dwarf planet. Along with his involvement with Pluto, Father George Coyne has appeared in a documentary, debated renowned theoretical physicist Richard Dawkins, published various papers and books, as well as has an asteroid named after himself, adding to the list of achievements in his life.
Coyne began his career as a member of the Society of Jesus, a Jesuit. A member of the Jesuits since the age of 18, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1965. Coyne graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy from Fordham University in 1958. Coyne continued his education receiving his PHD from Georgetown University. After graduating from Georgetown University, Coyne did much work in the astronomy department of the University of Arizona. “I actually found my interest in Astronomy stemming from a professor I had who would randomly go off on tangents about the universe during my Greek class, and now here I am,” Coyne said.
With a Jesuit and astronomy background, Coyne soon found himself employed by the Papal Observatory in Italy. Coyne climbed the ranks, becoming Director of the observatory in 1978. Coyne served as a bridge between the Catholic Church and the Scientific Community for his expertise in both. Historically the traditional Roman Catholic Church and science had been at odds. “He had a lot to do with relations between science and religion,” Father Donald Maldari, fellow colleague and Jesuit said.
Father Coyne resigned from the Director of the Vatican Observatory in 2006. Some people speculated on the resignation to be tied to a current dispute Coyne had with Cardinal Schonborn. In an article in The New York Times on July 7, 2005, Schonborn openly critiqued aspects of Neo-Darwinism, saying specifically that natural selection wasn’t compatible with the church. Coyne did not share the same opinion, arguing the complete opposite and even quoting Pope John Paul II, saying that “evolution is no longer a mere hypothesis.”
Coyne refused any relation to this open dispute within the church, to have any ties to his resignation soon after. “The press blew it way out of proportion. I wanted to resign, I had even asked multiple times previous years; I was just getting too old. It just so happened that myself and Cardinal Schonborn had our differences then as well,” Coyne said.
Coyne worked for decades in the Vatican, so he was in contact with the previous two popes. Coyne knew most closely the late pope, Pope John Paul II. “I was working in the Vatican observatory for 22 years while John Paul was there, I only briefly worked with Benedict for like two years at the end of my career,” Coyne said.
Many people were surprised by the unexpected resignation of the late Pope Benedict XXIV, this past February 2013. “I don’t know him personally, but I was very disappointed when Benedict stepped down, I felt like he had a lot more to give, Father Bove, central New York priest said.
While most people were surprised by this action of resignation, not all were disappointed, “Yes I am surprised but pleasantly surprised, it was a very humble and courageous act to admit you can’t go on because of his old age,” Coyne said, having personally known benedict.
The new Pope, Pope Francis has somewhat of a controversy surrounding him as well, along with a tie to Le Moyne College. Le Moyne College is a Jesuit Institution just as Pope Francis is a Jesuit priest. Controversially however, most Jesuits are not allowed, and therefore do not accept a place of power such as Pope unless made to, simply because their vows forbid them to. “I am surprised on the selection of the new Pope, on the fact that he’s a Jesuit alone,” Coyne said, who never knew Pope Francis personally during his time at the Vatican.
“My Jaw dropped, literally dropped when they announced it, I’m sure everyone, especially Father Coyne shared a similar reaction as well” Maldari said when asked about the new Pope.
Pope Francis has faced many difficult and controversial topics since accepting the papacy only this past March. Issues have included the churches stance on abortion, contraception, and homosexuality. All of these topics are widely debated and controversial in today’s society, especially for the Roman Catholic Church, who has historically condemned these topics. However, Francis has seemingly won over many people in the way he presents himself compared to previous popes. “He was asked about homosexuality recently, saying, “Who am I to judge, I’m a sinner too.” This pope is very Jesuit, very humble, and down to earth. Francis seems to concentrate more on the people and less on the doctrine. Its definitely a change for the better,” Coyne said.
Today father Coyne teaches Astronomy, and Religion courses at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. Coyne pseudo-officially belongs to the schools religious department. “I float around basically, I belong to the religious department I think. But I’m very happy not having to go to meetings,” Coyne said.
One department Father Coyne does officially belong to and participate in at Le Moyne, is the McDevitt Center for Creativity and Innovation. The McDevitt Center works to improve the computer science, management/information systems, physics, and religious philosophy programs through awareness. Father Coyne is the appointed chair holder of Religious Philosophy department. Coyne fits right in, helping to promote the program. “I regard him as a friend. We’ve had many meals, lunch, dinners. He’s such a great Guy. He really has made a difference in a lot of lives,” Dr. Steven Affeldt, Director of the McDevitt center said.
Because of Father Coyne’s famous achievements, and people he knows, the McDevitt Center uses this to gain publicity and attention. “The McDevitt Center uses Father Coyne to promote the college, Father Coyne is very famous, we show him off. It helps to put Le Moyne on the map,” Affeldt said.
Coyne chose Le Moyne College, over many other offers nationwide. As a response to his renowned resume, many larger well-known colleges and universities contacted him. Arizona University personally requested his work. Coyne respectively turned down Arizona; despite recent ties with the astronomy program and observatory work he had done there. “It was a personal decision after 28 years as the director of the observatory; a younger man took over so I retired. I still have good health and wanted to find somewhere where could I contribute most and help out. There was an immediate sense of welcoming at le Moyne, it’s a small community, as well as I love the Jesuit community, I really like the students, I feel very happy and productive here,” Coyne said.
One particular class Father Coyne teaches is a Religion and Science course at Le Moyne. In previous years this class has been co-taught with colleague, Father Maldari. However this year the class has been solely taught by Father Coyne. “I really enjoyed the class. Working with George was a real eye opener. But in the end we had too much of a difference in how we teach. He likes to lecture and I really like to get involved with the class and go with it, and anyway I’m away on sabbatical this year,” Maldari said.
The class revolves much on the relationship between science and religion. Coyne argues for the coexistence, and even the symbiosis of the two. The concept of evolution, previously frowned upon by the Catholic Church, is a main focus of study. Coyne has published many articles on the theoretical topics of astrophysics and evolution pertaining to religion that are discussed in this class. “I really like the class, but he’s a little too intelligent for me, a lot of what we talk about goes right over my head. Especially when we get talking about theoretical stuff and the universe,” Emma Altizer, Junior Biology major at Le Moyne College said.
On the little spare time Father Coyne has, relaxation is a top priority. Coyne lives a humble life within the Jesuit community at Le Moyne. Enjoying the upstate outdoor weather as much as possible when time permits. “Surely you must have seen Father Coyne riding his bike around the area. He rides it all the time,” Affeldt said.
Father Coyne has had a very unique life filled with many accomplishments. Not many religious figureheads are so knowledgeable and active in the science community as well. “The Jesuit society, which Father Coyne is a part of, has an uncanny way of always landing on its feet, while staying at the forefront of the church and science. Which Father Coyne has, and I believe will continue to do so into the future,” Bove said.
