Stephen Barr is an eminent American physicist. He is Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Delaware where his life’s work has made original contributions to our understanding of theoretical particle physics and cosmology. In 2011, Professor Barr was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Professor Barr is also a co-founder and president of the Society of Catholic Scientists. During a visit to Hillsdale College in Michigan in May 2023, he generously took time-out to talk to the Diocese of Lansing about the harmony that exists between Catholicism and science.

The interview took place at Saint Anthony of Padua parish in Hillsdale. The interviewer is David Kerr, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Lansing. The questions posed to Professor Barr are as follows:

00:00: Professor Barr introduces himself.

00:22: Tell us a bit about yourself and your career in science?

02:32: What are the two theorem or observations that bear your name?

04:54: What is the relationship between faith and science?

07:41: What has been the relationship between Christianity, and in particular Catholicism, and science over the past 2000 years?

13:29: Why do you think these things are not better known?

16:46: To what degree is that common misconception, that faith and science contradict, a stumbling block to the modern person coming to know Christ and His Church?

18:22: Tell us about the foundation of the Society of Catholic Scientists. How did it come about?

21:18: As an organization attempting to show a harmony between faith and science, do you feel you are on the front foot or fighting a rearguard action?

24:33: Has the Church in the present age done enough to show the compatibility of modern scientific learning with Christian orthodoxy?

27:28: If there’s a Catholic scientist watching this who is interested in your work and the Society of Catholic Scientists, what should they do?

* For more information on the Society of Catholic Scientists go to: https://catholicscientists.org/