Mar 12, 2008 / 20:18 pm
A Polish priest and physicist who was a friend of Pope John Paul II has been awarded the Templeton Prize, the world’s largest monetary annual award, for his “theology of science,” Canwest News Service reports.
Father Michal Heller, who conducted his research on the origins of the universe and the relation between science and religion while living under Soviet oppression, will be awarded the $1.6 million Templeton Prize by Prince Phillip at a ceremony in May at Buckingham Palace.
"Michal Heller's quest for deeper understanding has led to pioneering breakthroughs in religious concepts and knowledge as well as expanding the horizons of science," said John Templeton, Jr., head of the Templeton Foundation and son of the global investor and philanthropist who started the award.
The Templeton Foundation said Heller’s examination of questions such as “Does the universe have a cause?” has given Christians a “theology of science” in which to consider “the great blueprint of God’s thinking.”