Changes

The theory of evolution, as it is commonly taught today, denies the existence of one Adam and Eve and thus undermines the concept of [[original sin]] that made necessary the [[Passion of Christ]].

The theory of evolution, as it is commonly taught today, denies the existence of one Adam and Eve and thus undermines the concept of [[original sin]] that made necessary the [[Passion of Christ]].

On October 23rd 1996, Pope [[John Paul II]] made a speech to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and said:

On October 23, 1996, Pope [[John Paul II]] made a speech to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and said:

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

"Taking into account the state of scientific research at the time as well as of the requirements of theology, the Encyclical Humani generis considered the doctrine of 'evolutionism' a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis. Pius XII added two methodological conditions: that this opinion should not be adopted as though it were a certain, proven doctrine and as though one could totally prescind from Revelation with regard to the questions it raises. He also spelled out the condition on which this opinion would be compatible with the Christian faith, a point to which I will return. ...

"Taking into account the state of scientific research at the time as well as of the requirements of theology, the Encyclical Humani generis considered the doctrine of 'evolutionism' a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis. Pius XII added two methodological conditions: that this opinion should not be adopted as though it were a certain, proven doctrine and as though one could totally prescind from Revelation with regard to the questions it raises. He also spelled out the condition on which this opinion would be compatible with the Christian faith, a point to which I will return. ...

<br><br>Consequently, theories of evolution which, in accordance with the philosophies inspiring them, consider the mind as emerging from the forces of living matter, or as a mere epiphenomenon of this matter, are incompatible with the truth about man. Nor are they able to ground the dignity of the person." <ref>http://www.cin.org/jp2evolu.html</ref></blockquote>

<br><br>Consequently, theories of evolution which, in accordance with the philosophies inspiring them, consider the mind as emerging from the forces of living matter, or as a mere epiphenomenon of this matter, are incompatible with the truth about man. Nor are they able to ground the dignity of the person." <ref>http://www.cin.org/jp2evolu.html</ref></blockquote>

This statement has sometimes been translated as saying that evolution is "more than a hypothesis",<ref>James Akin [http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/whatsaid.htm]</ref> and used to support the claim that the Pope has recognized the truth of evolution. Regardless of which translation is better, the Pope was certainly not saying that evolution was a single hypothesis that must now be accepted. He was saying that scientific advances have made the situation more complicated than was previously recognized. He went on to say that "we should speak of several theories of evolution". Some of these theories are compatible with Catholic teachings, and some are not.

This statement has sometimes been translated as saying that evolution is "more than a hypothesis",<ref>[http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/whatsaid.htm James Akin]</ref> and used to support the claim that the Pope has recognized the truth of evolution. Regardless of which translation is better, the Pope was certainly not saying that evolution was a single hypothesis that must now be accepted. He was saying that scientific advances have made the situation more complicated than was previously recognized. He went on to say that "we should speak of several theories of evolution". Some of these theories are compatible with Catholic teachings, and some are not.

In an interview that was published in 1997, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now [[Pope Benedict XVI]]) stated:

In an interview that was published in 1997, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now [[Pope Benedict XVI]]) stated:

==Intelligent Design==

==Intelligent Design==

The position of cardinals in the Church on [[intelligent design]] are nearly as diverse as the cardinals themselves.  The Cardinal archbishop of [[Vienna]] has spoken out in support of intelligent design.  The director of the Vatican observatory, Father George V. Coyne, has been critical of it. The Vatican itself has never taken an official position on the issue<ref>http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18503</ref>, though Catholics professors tend to be [[liberal]] like their peers.<ref>Gregorian University science and philosophy professor Gennaro Auletta stated his belief that ID "is not a scientific theory, even if it passes itself off as such."[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5859797.ece]</ref>

The position of cardinals in the Church on [[intelligent design]] are nearly as diverse as the cardinals themselves.  The Cardinal archbishop of [[Vienna]] has spoken out in support of intelligent design.  The director of the Vatican observatory, Father George V. Coyne, has been critical of it. The Vatican itself has never taken an official position on the issue,<ref>http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18503</ref> though Catholics professors tend to be [[liberal]] like their peers.<ref>Gregorian University science and philosophy professor Gennaro Auletta stated his belief that ID "is not a scientific theory, even if it passes itself off as such."[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5859797.ece]</ref>

==2009 Conference==

==2009 Conference==

In early March of 2009, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's ''On the Origin of Species'', a five-day conference titled "Biological Evolution: Facts and Theories" was held at the Pontifical Gregorian University. The symposium censored presentation of [[intelligent design]] and instead invited evolutionists who are hostile to it. Cardinal William Levada, who heads the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stated that it is "absurd" for evolution to try to eliminate the possibility of God's existence; he added his personal, unauthorized view that those who "have a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible which they want to see taught to their children in the schools alongside evolution or instead of it." Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, claimed that there is "no ''[[a priori]]'' incompatibility between evolution and the message of the Bible".<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5859797.ece</ref>  No intelligent design researcher or advocate was allowed to rebut these comments.

In early March 2009, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's ''On the Origin of Species'', a five-day conference titled "Biological Evolution: Facts and Theories" was held at the Pontifical Gregorian University. The symposium censored presentation of [[intelligent design]] and instead invited evolutionists who are hostile to it. Cardinal William Levada, who heads the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stated that it is "absurd" for evolution to try to eliminate the possibility of God's existence; he added his personal, unauthorized view that those who "have a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible which they want to see taught to their children in the schools alongside evolution or instead of it." Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, claimed that there is "no ''[[a priori]]'' incompatibility between evolution and the message of the Bible".<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5859797.ece</ref>  No intelligent design researcher or advocate was allowed to rebut these comments.

== Bibliography ==

== Bibliography ==