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Ten Amazing Inventions by Catholic Priests

Ten Amazing Inventions by Catholic Priests

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The common impression, especially among non-believers, is that science and religion oppose each other. The persecution of the astronomer Galileo for his heliocentric theory stands out as a prominent example of how the Catholic Church, in some cases, suppressed scientific inquiry it deemed detrimental to the faith.

But such episodes can be considered anomalies. For much of its history, the Church encouraged scientific thinking. It was no accident that the scientific method—observation, experimentation, and mathematical formulation—arose in Western Europe as it did. The Church had made European culture fertile ground for the Scientific Revolution. Even today, the Vatican runs the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which counts the world’s most brilliant scientists as its members, including the late Stephen Hawking, an avowed atheist.

In fact, many scientists who contributed to the advance of scientific knowledge were Catholic priests. They never felt that doing science was incompatible with their religious vocation. The Church has given us a stellar list of scientist-priests and their accomplishments. Who hasn’t heard of Augustinian monk Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics? Or Fr. Georges Lemaitre, the formulator of the Big Bang theory?

In the practical application of science, priests have also left us their legacies. Priests have come up with inventions that helped build our modern technological society. Here is a list of ten of those inventions.

Related:Top 10 World-Changing Inventions You Didn’t Know Were Scottish

10Automobile

Progetto Auto Vapore 1672 Ferdinand Verbiest

Before Benz, Daimler, and Maybach, there was Ferdinand Verbiest. If we define “automobile” as a self-propelled vehicle not necessarily designed to carry a passenger, this Belgian Jesuit takes credit for its invention.

Born in 1623 in Pitthem in what was then the Spanish Netherlands, Ferdinand inherited the love of learning from his father, Joos. Considered a “singular prodigy” as a child, Ferdinand joined the Society of Jesus and studied philosophy, theology, mathematics, and astronomy. Upon receiving his doctorate in 1655, the Jesuits assigned Verbiest to their mission in China. Under the name Nan Huairen, Verbiest worked as a diplomat, astronomer, cartographer, mathematician, and translator for the Chinese emperor.

It was for Emperor Kangxi’s entertainment that Verbiest designed his automobile in 1672. It was only 26 inches (65 cm) long and could not carry a human driver, but it realized all the principles of “automobility.” A round boiler

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