George Coyne
George Vincent Coyne, S.J. (January 19, 1933 – February 11, 2020) was an American Jesuit priest and astronomer who led the Vatican Observatory and its research program at the University of Arizona for many years. From 2012 until his death, he taught at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. He spent his career trying to bring theology and science together, while making clear that the Bible is not a science textbook.
Coyne was born in Baltimore, the third of eight children. He joined the Jesuits after high school, studied mathematics and philosophy at Fordham University, and earned a Ph.D. in astronomy from Georgetown University in 1962. He did early research on the Moon and held various teaching and research positions at the University of Arizona and the Vatican Observatory before becoming its director in 1978, appointed by Pope John Paul I.
As director, Coyne worked to expand scientific education and opportunities. He recruited scientists from around the world, created a program that allowed women to participate, and started the Vatican Observatory Summer School for astronomy graduate students. He helped organize conferences that explored how science and faith relate, such as “God’s Action in the Universe.” He was known for fostering a free, rigorous scientific atmosphere while serving as a bridge to religious thinking.
Coyne published and spoke widely about science and religion. He believed evolution, including its random aspects, fits with Catholic teaching and argued against the idea that God only creates through direct, constant intervention. He was openly skeptical of “intelligent design” as science and said it should be taught in religion or history classes, not science classes. He also suggested that Christianity could accommodate discoveries about life beyond Earth and that Scripture should be interpreted without assuming scientific claims.
In addition to his Vatican work, Coyne co-authored Wayfarers in the Cosmos (2002) and, with Michael Heller, Comprehensible Universe: The Interplay of Science and Theology (2008). He remained active in the scientific community and received honorary degrees and awards for his work bridging faith and science, including the Mendel Medal from Villanova University (2008) and the George Van Biesbroeck Prize from the American Astronomical Society (2010). The asteroid 14429 Coyne is named in his honor.
Coyne passed away from bladder cancer in Syracuse at the age of 87. He is remembered for promoting open dialogue between science and religion and for helping many scientists feel welcomed within the Vatican’s scientific community.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 18:00 (CET).