Yes, according to Church teaching, faith and reason are not only compatible but also mutually supportive 1 2. The Church upholds that both faith and reason are essential for understanding truth, as they originate from God 3 1 2.

Supporting Church Documents

• Vatican Council I: The Catholic doctrine defined by the Vatican Council affirms that faith and reason are of mutual help 1 2.
• Pope John Paul II: In Fides et Ratio, Pope John Paul II emphasized the harmony between faith and reason, stating that both the light of reason and the light of faith come from God, so there can be no contradiction between them 4. He also said that faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth 5.
• Pope Pius XI: Affirmed the mutual support between faith and reason in Divini Illius Magistri 2.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: States that while faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between them 6. God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth 6.

Roles of Faith and Reason

• Reason: Reason establishes the foundations of faith, developing a knowledge of the things of God 1 2. It prepares minds to receive faith by proving truths that faith presupposes and explains/defends the truths revealed by God 7.
• Faith: Faith frees and preserves reason from error and enriches it with varied knowledge 1 2. It protects reason from distrusting its abilities, stimulating it to be open to broader horizons and enriching its work 8.

Collaboration between Faith and Reason

1. Mutual Support: Faith and reason support and enlighten one another 3. Right reason demonstrates the grounds of faith, and faith frees and protects reason from errors, providing it with insights 3.
2. Distinct but Not Opposed: Reason and revelation are distinct but not opposed 7. Methodical research in all branches of knowledge, carried out scientifically and without overriding moral laws, will not conflict with faith 6.
3. Analogy: Theological language is principally analogical. While the distance between God and creatures is infinite, an analogy exists that enables us to speak about God with human words 8.
4. Truth: The truths of faith and reason cannot contradict each other because they come from the same source, God 3.

In summary, the Church believes that faith and reason complement each other, with reason providing a foundation for faith and faith guiding and enriching reason 1 2. This collaboration leads to a more complete understanding of truth 3.