Vatican's top astronomer assures everyone the world is not ending

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/12/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

'It's not even worth discussing,' he tells journalists

Everyone has been trying to calm down the apocalyptic panic over the Mayan calendar running out on December 21 of this year. Adding to the chorus is the Vatican's top astronomer who assures everyone that the world will not end in the next couple of say. The Rev. Jose Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory wrote that "it's not worth even discussing," in the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano.

vatican astronomer Rev. Funes writes that the universe is expanding and if some models are correct, will at one point 'break away' - but not for billions of years. He also said that Christians profoundly believe that 'death can never have the last word.'

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Funes writes that the universe is expanding and if some models are correct, will at one point "break away" - but not for billions of years. He also said that Christians profoundly believe that "death can never have the last word."

The Mayan Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 B.C., marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. The Mayans wrote that the significant 13th Baktun ends Dec. 21. In spite of the fact that the Mayan never predicted the end of the world, people across the globe have found excuses to panic.

Doomsday theorists have posited such scenarios as planets colliding, solar storms and magnetic poles switching. The sales of doomsday shelters have exploded and many in the U.S. have opted to bury fully functional capsule-like homes in their backyards.

NASA put out an hour-long YouTube video earlier this month debunking the theories of doomsday arriving Dec. 21, 2012. The Internet has helped to fuel the frenzy as reports of people panicking are coming in from all corners of the world. China.org reports that the doomsday rumors have sparked "panic buying" in their country today.

One man in China spent his entire life-savings building an ark for the doomsday scenario that he believes in, one that most likely involves a flood. Lu Zhenghai built a 70-foot-by-50-foot ark, which is powered by three diesel engines.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Astronomer, Vatican, Doomsday, Mayan, Rev. Jose Funes

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 2 of 2 Comments

Carol
6 months ago
I have heard similar proclamations issued by NASA, and now by the Vatican astronomer. I want to preface this by saying that I have tremendous respect and admiration for NASA. And as a devout Catholic, I have even more respect, admiration, and love for the Vatican.
That being said, I don't think that any human being can make the proclamation that the world will not end on Dec. 21. Only God knows that for sure. After all, Sacred Scripture tells us that we know not the day nor the hour that the Lord is coming. I believe that what scientists can say is that they have no scientific evidence that the world will end Dec. 21.
That is not to say that I personally believe the world will end on Dec. 21. Instead, I think we should be ready at any time for either our own "particular judgment" or for the "general judgment." That includes preparing our souls with frequent Mass attendance and the Sacrament of Confession. And above all, do not fear -- trust in the Lord that He will help His faithful even in the darkest hour...
maria
6 months ago
Hi my maria and I love that you guys are talking this because I've been going to a lot of depression because of this.... I can't sleep I feel nervous all day and it's druiivi
ng me crazy.... I just thank God that he keeps on pushing to get up and go to work in do things like I used too...... but I hate feeling like this I feel lost.. so I beg you to do with strong prayer for me.. how to find wisdom and understand what's going on and not to be leaving the world

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment