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World Truths |
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UFO Sightings
From: "Richard Boylan, Ph.D." <drboylan@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 10:39 AM
Friends,
Finally I have obtained an English translation of the unprecedented
paper
Monsignor Balducci gave me at our historic Meeting in Rome in December
(2002). In this seminal work, the Monsignor-theologian, (who is the
Pope's
choice as Chief Exorcist for the Archdiocese of Rome/Vatican itself),
not
only makes an air-tight case for the reality and acceptability of Star
Visitor contacts with humans, but argues that these Visitors are more
highly
intellectually and spiritually evolved than humans.
The Monsignor gave me a copy of this Paper, and intends to share it with
his
Vatican colleagues. It must also be the first document by a high-level
churchman to mention Area 51, Nevada
--Richard Boylan, Ph.D.
<><><><><><><><>
UFOLOGY AND THEOLOGICAL CLARIFICATIONS
(Monsignor Corrado Balducci - Pescara, June 8th. 2001)
Premise.
Over the last 150 years it have appeared sequentially and with an
increasing
spreading and frequency rate, two types of
manifestations and phenomena, very different between them, but both so
interesting, controversial and fascinating to divide
public opinion into two different aspects: or everything is real, or
well
everything is false. These are spiritualism and ufology. It shouldn't
surprise us this approach, because it's related only to the reactions
and
behaviour of the public before these two phenomena and not to their
contents, obviously quite different between both of them
Regarding spiritualism, this is a practice for which there are
testimonies
across the centuries; in 1847, with the sisters Fox in Hydesville (New
York), it had a special remark and spread rapidly in several countries.
Very
soon there was an explanation for the phenomena connected to such
practices,
even by the scientists: the souls of the disincarnated, better said of
the
dead people, are the cause of this. This was called the spiritualist
hypothesis, against which theologians soon opposed to the so called
demonic
hypothesis.
Only by the end of XIX century there were made the first attempts to
look
for a natural explanation, and finally in 1922, with the thick book of
the
French scientist Charles Richet, Traitè de Mètapsychique , it began
officially the so called Metapsychics, nowadays better known as
Parapsychology.
When I began with my demonic and metapsychic studies back in 1950, I
found
myself in a period when, since two decades ago, it was denied the
existence
of spiritualist phenomena (and not only by some scientists, but also by
a
very wide public opinion), that represented at that time the most
abundant
cases of Metapsychics.
The same is valid since some decades on regarding Ufology.
After this premise, we reach our subject, for which I have two very
brief
clarifications to expose.
- The acronym UFO (Unidentified Flying Object), is used here in a wider
sense, or even better, including also the existence of living beings in
other planets.
- The aim of my intervention is to underline that something real must
exist
in the phenomena, and how this does not contrast at all with Christian
religion, being considered positive even among theologians.
Let's divide the speech in three points:
1. Something real must exist.
2. Theological considerations on the habitability of other planets.
3. Some testimonies favourable to it.
I - UFO: Something real must exist.
This is a statement coming out from basic considerations based upon
common
sense, human rationalism and upon a normal and possible course of our
lives,
considering not only individual and social aspects, but also religious.
In fact, today there is a great amount (still increasing) of testimonies
regarding the so called flying saucers or spaceships and the
extraterrestrials; and among them there are some coming from reliable
persons, with a culture and initially non believers. There are already
hundreds of thousands of eye witnesses in the world that state to have
seen
UFO's at least once. There are so many, even in a smaller amount, the
testimonies coming from the so called contactees.
If we consider this, it seems impossible to deny at a rational level
that
something real does exist A totally sceptic behaviour is not justified
at
all, because a priori seems to be against to the elemental prudence
suggested by the good sense.
It is also real that we could think rationally that so large average of
testimonies could be due to illusions, hallucinations and to states of
intense suggestion. In other cases it could be also due to particular
light
effects or well to atmospheric phenomena, such as clouds that over the
mountains may show a shape similar to the flying saucers; we could use
as an
example the so called ball rays or well globular flashes of lighting.
Other times UFO's could be confused with certain types of round-shaped
aeroplanes, that were certainly built in USA since
the so called Cold War (it is also certain that Russia built some
aeroplanes
of this type). This promoted in the period after World War II, the
spreading
of the idea that flying saucers were nothing else but new inventions
with
warring aim, obviously kept secret.
But these are always inaccurate explanations and considerations to
explain
the number of testimonies and the wideness of UFO phenomenon. The most
severe and hard criticism could reduce largely this number, but never
will
be able to eliminate all of them.
We also have to remember that in several countries exist places,
organisations and associations that collect evidences and
testimonies on tape, in order to make them examine and study by experts
and
scientists as necessary; after that the whole set is catalogued in
explainable and non explainable phenomena. It is not any longer a secret
the
existence of the so called Area 51 in the United States, within a zone
in
the hearth of the Nevada desert; an enormous land area that has a larger
construction
underground than on the surface. In France is famous the SEPRA
association;
in Italy there is the CUN, Centro Ufologico
Nazionale (National Ufological Centre), already on its 36th. year of
existence, and with Dr. Roberto Pinotti as President since long ago;
also in
Italy there is since 4 years until now the CIFAS ( Council of
International
Federation of Advanced Studies ) dedicated to study the relationships
between man and extraterrestrial space, which President is still Gen.
Salvatore
Marcelletti.
Regarding the existence of something real within UFO phenomenon, I must
add
another consideration that was left for
last to better underline its importance. And this is, that a
generalised,
systematic and total incredulity finally would weaken
and destroy the value of human testimony, with serious and unforeseeable
consequences, because that is the base of life not
only individual and social, but also religious.
In fact, testimony is a form of communication of our faith in our
partner.
This is a widely spread way on daily life (when listening news,
spending,
buying, etc.). Let's imagine what could happen on individual and social
life
if the value of human
testimony was weaken, with the logical decrease and disappearance of
that
faith many times is essential for daily life
After this, I have extended such inconveniences to religious life; in
fact,
also Christian religion is based upon human testimony, being the Divine
Revelation an historical fact.
In 1937 Jesuit theologian Herbert Thurston wrote on purpose: From a
logical
point of view, christians that accept miracles and other episodes
related on
the Gospel... they cannot reject in an obstinate way the reiterated
testimonies of modern and reliable witnesses, that relate what their
eyes
have seen...
All our Apologetic system is based upon the belief in the Truth said in
the
Gospel ( Church and Spiritualism ; Milan, 1937; p.p. 179). For that:
systematic demolition and discredit of humantestimonies regarding simple
fact data, seem to me contrary in principle to all belief on the
historic
seriousness of Gospel, and indirectly, to every belief on Christian
Revelation (Op. Cit.
p.p. 157).
II. Theological and biblical considerations on the habitability of other
planets.
First of all a clarification: we should exclude that angels use
spaceships,
due to the fact that they are merely spiritual beings, and that they are
wherever they want to be, and in the rare cases when they show
themselves,
they don't have any difficulty to assume a visible form. The very same
we
can say about dead people. Holy Virgin, in the very few cases when she
could
consider to be in contact with human people (very exceptional episodes
and
to be confirmed in their authenticity), continues to choose other very
different ways to transmit us her maternal affection, to manifest us her
urgencies, to communicate us her maternal claims or to give us her sweet
reproaches. Even keeping their angelic nature, we shouldn't think about
the
devils at all, because they are connected in their liberty to God on
their
extraordinary activity, and in that way they are disabled to express
their
terrible and malefic hate regarding us. Let's remember St. August: If
the
devil by his own initiative could do
anything, even a single living being would not stay on Earth (ML 37,
1246);
let's remember also to St. Buenaventura: Is so large the demon's
cruelty,
that he would swallow us in every moment, if Divine protection don't
guard
us ( Diaeta salutis , tit. 7 c.1, Verona 1748, p. 183).
Therefore, when speaking about extraterrestrials, we must think in
beings
like us, or well and preferably in other types of
living beings, that in their spiritual part they have associated a
material
one; better said, a body in a better state than the one
existing for us as humans.
There is not a scientific certainty yet about this problem, even if this
seems to be closer and closer, thanks to the progress of science and
study.
Regarding the theological and biblical aspect of this matter, we can
remark
three points, three affirmations in favour from the various
considerations:
1. Before all, that exist other inhabited planets is something possible.
In
the Bible there are not specific allusions to other living beings, but
neither is excluded this hypothesis, that for this stays as possible, if
we
think that God's omnipotence and wisdom have no limits, being infinite.
2. Furthermore, the existence of other inhabited planets is something
credible. In fact, there is a great diversity between angels, merely
spiritual beings and us, composed by spirit and matter; better said,
soul
and flesh, but a soul that cannot act if don't use the body as an
instrument; a body that makes with its passions and capital vices
conditional the soul to the point of make human person so fragile, and
more
devoted to evil than to goodness. Therefore is credible that this
enormous
distance between us and the angels could be reduced by the presence of
beings that, having also a body (even if more perfect), their soul is
less
conditioned on their intelligent and volitional acting.
If necessary, there is another confirmation upon the very ancient saying
of
Lucrezio Caro: Natura non facit saltus ; a very
famous phrase (that I found on the De rerum natura ) and quoted -
regarding
that argument - also by some theologians.
Another consideration is taken for the aim of the creation, or well the
Glory of God, a concept that you can find several times on the Bible.
For
instance, Psalm 18 begins by saying precisely: heavens sing the glory of
God . But only human person is able to give this glory to God in a
conscious
way, because it has intelligence and free will.
Precisely for this, several theologians say, is not only possible but
credible, that in the spaces that are distant and inaccessible for men
and
his scientific instruments, do exist other beings able to know God as
their
Creator, and also they give Him this Glory, that for them and their
worlds
represent the aim of Creation.
Jesuit Father Domenico Grasso, Professor of Theology at the Pontifical
Gregorian University wrote on purpose: Why all the
perfection God has spread so widely in the universe should be kept
hidden
without singing the glory of God? Wouldn't it be a
discordance unsuitable for God? Who writes a book knowing that it will
never
be read by anyone, or well who paints a painting to hide it from
anyone's
sight? .
He claims regarding the statements made by German theologian Joseph
Pohle in
one of his books of 1904 (page 457): It seems to be accordingly with the
aim of the world that inhabitable celestial bodies are settled by
creatures
that recognise the glory of God in the physical beauties of their
worlds, in
the same way man does with his smaller world ( Die Sternewelt undihre
Bewohner - The Stars of Universe and its Inhabitants ; Köln 1904; pp.
457). Finally Father Grasso concludes: we must think in the angels to
know
where God receives the glory from these worlds from, because them, that
are
purely spiritual, are not able to know the matter but indirectly, in the
same way man does with the spirit (ib.).
3. Beyond to be something possible and credible, I would see desirable
the
inhabitability of other planets. In a future, even if very remote, these
eventual inhabitants, superior to us, could be very helpful to us,
specially
in our spiritual path. In a non practical way, they could had been
protecting and helping us since long time ago.
If it is the case that they do really exist intelligent beings on other
planets, it would be easier to understand how to conciliate their
existence
with the redemption of Christ. As St. Paul says (cfr. Col. 1, 16-17), a
real
fact is that Christ is the centre and head of the creation of the
universe.
Therefore there are no worlds without a reference of Him. From the Bible
is
possible to assure that Christ, as Incarnated Verb, has total influence
upon
all the possible inhabited planets.
I quote what said by St. Paul to the Colossians: For by Him all things
were
created that are in heaven and that are on Earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things
were
created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him
all
things consist... For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness
should dwell. And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him,
whether
things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood
of
His cross (Col. 1, 16-20).
The Church celebrates the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year (before the
Advent) as the Feast of Christ, King of the universe, and in its liturgy
the
universality of His kingdom is remembered, which is also expressed in
the
daily Mass.
III. Algunos testimonios a favor.
There exist several interesting statements on the inhabitability of
other
worlds by lay scientists, theologians or servants of God which already
qualified for a process of beatification or canonisation. Obviously I'll
limit myself to quote just some of them.
Beginning with the laymen, let me quote the great French scientist
Charles
Richet (1850 - 1935), that was, among other things, a materialist. In
1922,
in his Traitè de Mètapsychique , he stated: Do we have any right to
claim,
just because of our limited senses and our mistaken intelligence, that
man
is the only intelligent being in this immense cosmos?... That other
intellectual forces, different from us, exist, is not only possible but
extremely probable. It is even certain... It is absurd to claim that we
are
the only intelligence in nature... The existence of these beings cannot
be
proven, but the probability of their existence is evident (loc. cit.,
Paris
1922, pp. 787-788).
I remember 5 theologians:
1. Cardinal Nicolò Cusano (1401 - 1464), philosopher and scientist that
said: We are not authorised to exclude that on
another star beings do exist, even if they are completely different from
us
..
2. The Jesuit Father and astronomer Fr. Angelo Secchi (1818 - 1876)
wrote:
It is absurd to claim that the worlds surrounding us are large,
uninhabited
deserts and that the meaning of the universe lies just in our small,
inhabited planet. .
3. The famous Dominican preacher Jacques-Marie-Louis Monsabre (1827 -
1907)
referred to the principle Natura non facit
saltus when he claimed that other intelligent beings besides men and
angels
exist.
4. The already quoted English Jesuit Father Herbert Thurston wrote: Who
can
claim that there are no other intelligent beings besides these 3
categories
of angels, demons and men in the Universe of God? I do not intend to
confirm
the possibility I
indicated in my question as a fact, but I ask: Who can be sure about it?
(Op. Cit., pp. 3).
5. German Theologian Giuseppe Pohle: Hypothesis of the plurality of
inhabited worlds is totally favourable to the glory of the Lord. God
creates
for His glory, and any glory is possible without intelligent beings,
able to
know the creation of the Lord
..
I remember two persons for whom there is already going on their process
of
canonisation:
1. The Salesian Father and Servant of God Don Andrea Beltrami (1870 -
1897)
who prayed also for the possible inhabitants of other planets. Of the 16
booklets he wrote, one seems to deal with this topic (and I say seems
because unfortunately I was not able to know the titles of his 16
publications).
2. The second (with whom I want to close this paper), is the already
sanctified Padre Pio, who was beatified by Pope John
Paul II on May 2, 1999 and canonised on June 16, 2002. From St. Fr. Pio,
the
following dialogue is documented and officially published by the
Cappuchin
Order:
Question: Father, some claim that there are creatures of God on other
planets, too .
Answer: What else? Do you think they don't exist and that God's
omnipotence
is limited to this small planet Earth? What else? Do you think there are
no
other beings who love the Lord? .
Another question: Father, I think the Earth is nothing compared to other
planets and stars .
Answer: Exactly Yes, and we Earthlings are nothing, too. The Lord
certainly did not limit His glory to this small Earth. On other planets
other beings exist who did not sin and fall as we did .
(Don Nello Castello: Così parlò Padre Pio ; Vicenza, 1974).
Lac. Corrado Balducci
Rome, C. 7 / 6 / 2001
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FILER'S FILES #51 -- 2002, MUFON Skywatch Investigations George A. Filer, Director Mutual UFO Network Eastern |