Pope Pius XII In this season of Science and Faith we look at how the successors of Peter, not only as rock of the Church but also as men and individuals, have engaged and dialogued with the fields of science and technology as part of their duty in the complex task of shepherding and illuminating human pursuits in the light of the Catholic Faith. Whenever the pontificate of Venerable Pius XII is mentioned (1939-1958) many think of a Pope that shepherded the Church through some of Europe’s most troubling times. However, in this episode, we shed light on a lesser-known side of the Rome-born Pontiff. Dr Pia Matthews delved into his background and what sparked his lifelong interest in science and technology. Then, we discussed the encyclical Humani Generis and the Lemaitre affair, which preceded a fascinating conversation regarding his contributions to the field of bioethics, including his addresses to lay people in fields such as midwifery, psychiatry, or anaesthesiology. Dr Matthews explained how Pius XII helped shape Church teaching on issues such as organ transplantation, pain management, end of life care, and euthanasia. If you’d like to find out why William J. Egan, the eighth president of the US-founded Federation of Catholic Physicians’ Guilds, believed Pius XII deserved the title ‘the Pope of Medicine’, press play! Guest Biography Dr Pia Matthews studied Law at Trinity College Cambridge, followed by Theology at St John’s Catholic Seminary Wonersh. She then studied for an MA in bioethics and a PhD at St Mary’s University Twickenham. Her doctorate has been validated as a pontifical degree by the Dicastery of Culture and Education. Pia is an academic director and on the formation team at Allen Hall Seminary, Chelsea where she also lectures in Moral Theology, Philosophical Anthropology, Personal Ethics, Bioethics and Marriage and Family Life. She is a senior lecturer at St Mary’s University Twickenham and a faculty member of the Mater Ecclesiae College, the pontifical institute set up by Rome to serve the UK. In 2015 Pope Francis appointed Pia an expert to the synod on the Family and Pia has represented the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales at the Dicastery for Laity and Family Life. Pia has also presented on spirituality, disability and catechesis to the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. Currently Pia is working with the US National Catholic Partnership on Disability to develop a resource for Catholic theology and disability. Pia has written extensively on healthcare ethics, spirituality, and Catholic theology notably in relation to ethics and persons with profound disabilities. She has also facilitated discussions on theology, education and formation, and the human person, for lay people, teachers and clergy. Get in touch: scienceandfaith@radiomariaengland.uk Facebook/Instagram: @radiomariaengland #RMESCIENCEANDFAITH https://radiomariaengland.uk/extvs_programme/science-and-faith/ Radio Maria broadcasts 24/7 on digital radio (DAB+) in selected regions, the Radio Maria Play app (Europe/England), the website live-player and via a smart speaker. (Digital regions: London, Cambridge, Bristol, South Birmingham, Dudly & Stourbridge, Walsall, Liverpool, Warrington, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Stockport, Norwich, King’s Lynn and Peterborough.) If you enjoyed this programme, please consider supporting us with a one-off or monthly donation. It is only through the generosity of our listeners that we are able to be a Christian voice by your side. www.radiomariaengland.uk
