To listen to Stephen Hawking, one would have to conclude that it is necessary to choose between reason and faith. The two means of understanding our position in the world point in two directions. This is not the Church's view. Quite the opposite. The Church argues that truth can never contradict truth. Here is what the Catechism teaches at Sec. 159:
"Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are."
A conservator is defined in the American Heritage dictionary as "Someone who conserves or preserves from injury, violation, or infraction; a protector." In law, a conservator is "a guardian, a keeper."
So both the scientist and the person of faith rely on the protecting hand of God for the success of their ventures. The pain and suffering of life may tempt us to turn away from seeing this. But as is written in 2 Peter at v. 19: "[We] will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in [our] hearts."
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