Scientist-priest wins Templeton prize

Christian Century, March 27, 2002

John C. Polkinghorne, a mathematical physicist who amazed his scientific colleagues more than 20 years ago by becoming an Anglican priest, has won the 2002 Templeton Prize, one of the world's most prestigious awards in the field of religion. Long associated with the University of Cambridge, Polkinghorne, 71, is one of many men honored by the Templeton Foundation for attempts to bridge scientific and religious inquiry.

"I am a passionate believer in the unity of knowledge," Polkinghorne said prior to the March 14 announcement in New York City. The Templeton Prize is valued at 700,000 pounds sterling--just under $1 million. It was established in 1972 by Sir John Marks Templeton, a U.S.-born financier and Presbyterian who now lives in the Bahamas and holds British citizenship.

Like Polkinghorne, last year's winner, Arthur R. Peacocke, a prominent biochemist, is also a British Anglican priest. Among other scientist winners were physicist Freeman J. Dyson (2000) and physicist-theologian Ian Barbour (1999).

Formerly called the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, the award has a new name: the Templeton Prize for Progress Toward Research or Discoveries about Spiritual Realities. --ENI