Sisters Attend Vatican Meeting of World Scientists

SILVER SPRING, MD (Nov. 17, 2003) Sister Timothy Prokes, FSE, Ph.D., and Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, M.S., were invited as observers to the 400th anniversary meeting of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican. The meeting was held at Casina Pius IV in the Vatican Gardens from November 7-11, 2003. The themes for this year's meeting were "Mind, Brain and Education" and "Stem Cell Technology."

Members of the Academy are appointed by the Pope and represent the outstanding scientists of the world from many countries, disciplines and beliefs. Galileo belonged to the Academy, to name just one prominent member. Thirty of the 80 current members have been awarded the Nobel prize. To the surprise and delight of the Academicians, the Holy Father met with the assembly on November 10, 2003. He addressed the Academy, expressing his appreciation of the work of the scientists, and reiterating the Church's position on embryonic stem cell research. The Holy Father continued to encourage the ongoing research on adult stem cells. Each of the participants had the opportunity to greet the Holy Father personally.

Sister Timothy is a professor of theology and spirituality at Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College, Alexandria, Virginia, and is on the faculty of the Permanent Diaconate Program of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. She is a well known author, presenter and lecturer on theological and bioethical topics. Her theological focus is the theology of the body. One of her recent articles, "The Body: Precious Sacramental or Processed Artifact?" appeared in The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, Spring 2003, pp. 139-162.

Sister Damien Marie holds a master's degree in soil science from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in theology from The Catholic University of America, where she is currently studying for a doctorate in civil engineering with a component in theology. The focus of her interdisciplinary research is the environmental and theological implications of land restoration. For many years, Sister Damien Marie worked on environmental clean-up projects for engineering firms in Connecticut including United Technologies.