Changes

'''Catholic views on creationism''' have undergone change over time. [[Roman Catholicism]] has always tried to reconcile the best scientific knowledge with the [[Bible]]. Some other branches of [[Christianity]] adopt a more literal interpretation of [[creationism|creation]] as presented in the [[book of Genesis]] in the [[Bible]]. Currently, the Catholic church has taken no official position on evolution.

'''Catholic views on creationism''' have undergone change over time. [[Roman Catholicism]] has always tried to reconcile the best scientific knowledge with the [[Bible]]. Some other branches of [[Christianity]] adopt a more literal interpretation of [[creationism|creation]] as presented in the [[book of Genesis]] in the [[Bible]]. Currently, the Catholic church has taken no official position on evolution.

==Evolution==

==Evolution==

In 1909, the Pontifical Biblical Commission ruled that the historical sense of the creation account in Genesis 1-3 cannot be excluded.

In 1909, the Pontifical Biblical Commission ruled that the historical sense of the creation account in Genesis 1-3 cannot be excluded.

As of 1991, this ruling had not been superseded.<ref>Keane, 1991, p.169.</ref>

As of 1991, this ruling had not been superseded.<ref>Keane, 1991, p.169.</ref>

In 1950, [[Pope Pius XII]] forbade the [[theory of evolution]] being taught as true, although said that evidence for and against evolution should be considered.<ref>Keane, 1991, p.170.</ref>  In the [[Humani Generis]], the Pope forbade any Catholic from teaching anything contrary to the existence of one [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] as the parents of all mankind.<ref>Keane, 1991, p.177</ref>

In 1950, [[Pope Pius XII]] forbade the [[theory of evolution]] being taught as true, although said that evidence for and against evolution should be considered.<ref>Keane, 1991, p.170.</ref>  In the ''[[Humani Generis]]'', the Pope forbade any Catholic from teaching anything contrary to the existence of one [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] as the parents of all mankind.<ref>Keane, 1991, p.177</ref>

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:

Pope [[John Paul II]] said in 1996 that the theory of evolution is "more than a hypothesis" and that "truth cannot contradict truth," meaning that [[science]] and a belief in [[God]] can harmoniously coexist.<ref>http://webs.mn.catholic.edu.au/physics/emery/creationism.htm</ref><ref>This was said in French, and some opponents of evolution argued that the Pope had been mistranslated, and actually said "more than one hypothesis". This translation had the support of the official Vatican newspaper, but that paper later corrected their translation to "more than a hypothesis". Brumley, Mark, [http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/Dossier/0102-97/Article3.html Evolution and the Pope], Catholic.net.</ref>

In doing so, however, he did not (and could not, without denying the Catholic doctrine of Papal infallibility) overturn previous Catholic teaching in ''Humani Generis''.<ref>Keane, 1999, chapter 13.</ref>

"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>Today, almost half a century after the publication of the Encyclical, new knowledge has led to the recognition of more than one hypothesis in the theory of evolution. It is indeed remarkable that this theory has been progressively accepted by researchers, following a series of discoveries in various fields of knowledge. The convergence, neither sought nor fabricated, of the results of work that was conducted independently is in itself a significant argument in favour of this theory. ...

 

<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>

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 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.

== Bibliography ==

== Bibliography ==

* Keane, Gerard J., "Creation Rediscovered", Credis, 1991, ISBN 0 646 04291 2.

* Keane, Gerard J., "Creation Rediscovered", Credis, 1991, ISBN 0 646 04291 2.

==References==

==References==