Florida Catholic | Retreat for Priests

Science, theology scholar shares thirst for knowledge at retreat

BETTY ANN WEBER | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.12.07

Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete conducted a retreat for priests of the Diocese of Orlando.

“God never asks us to do anything that is inconsistent with our humanity.”

ORLANDO | Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete admits he was a difficult student. The facts as presented to him were never enough. He always wanted to know more. So he questioned, seeking verification.

Today, at 66, the drive remains constant. He's comfortable with that, encouraging others to go and do likewise.

Beginning Oct. 1, the noted scholar and teacher shared his views as retreat master in Winter Park, at a weeklong San Pedro Center gathering of Diocese of Orlando priests. The subject: evangelization.

Like Socrates, he hoped to lead his audience to conclusions by posing questions. "The mystery that humans call God is amazing," he said with a warmly intimate smile. "How would you arrive at the mystery behind the universe? Does the universe have meaning? Can it be verified in 2007? Can the claim of Christianity be verified?"

Little wonder this man chose to study science. "In science we seek clear answers," he said. This former president of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce — with a degree in space science and applied physics, from the University of Puerto Rico — knows of whence he speaks. But he also earned a master's degree in sacred theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington and a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome.

"We need a new evangelization," he said, "to go back to the beginning. Evangelization begins at baptism, announcing that something has happened. Verifying your original impulse, evangelization is the point of origin on the path to Christ."

But how do we find evidence?

"In the first Christian act," the monsignor said. "John and Andrew, busy at their work, saw Jesus, sensed an interest, and were attracted to him. He asked them, 'What do you want?' And they said, 'We want to be with you. To follow.' Jesus' reply was, 'Go where I go, stay where I stay.' That's it.

"Their interest was verified through a three-year education. Observing how he acted and responded, they found evidence to start their ministry. Trust what you know, always verifying. Certainty increases with time."

Currently, Msgr. Albacete, based in New York City, is "a kind of national chaplain" for the worldwide Catholic lay movement "Communion and Liberation." "I'm responsible for making sure everything is going well in the U.S.," he said.

Additionally, he is a frequent conference speaker, interacts with the media through television on CNN and PBS, has written for New Yorker magazine, pens columns for the New York Times and the Italian weekly Tempi, and is author of several books, including "God at the Ritz."

"Christ asks a lot," he said. "He never attempted to soften the human condition; he spared us no human experience. But God never asks us to do anything that is inconsistent with our humanity."

With so many choices today, so much pressure, where do we find evidence to support our faith? "In the church and Scripture," he said. "Verification is an educated process. Christ spoke clearly, rationally to the uncertain apostles, and their hearts were inflamed.

"What do we want? Look into yourself. Nothing satisfies; nothing is forever, so we search.

"Christ said, 'My grace is sufficient.' Find the evidence. Try it out."

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Science, theology scholar shares thirst for knowledge at retreat

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