catholicsphere

Is Father George Coyne of the Vatican Observatory a good voice on Evolution versus Intelligent Design? Father Coyne says some incredible things in the article above; namely, that God is a “he or she”. Certainly not the best spokesman for Catholic doctrine.

Pope John Paul II said that evolution is “more than a hypothesis”. Fifty years ago Pope Pius XII said almost the same thing in Humani generis:

“The Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, insofar as it inquiries into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter.”

But, Pope Benedict XVI has said that the universe is an “intelligent project”.

So, what is a Catholic (or anyone else, for that matter) to make of the doctrine of evolution and intelligent design?

Based on my readings, I think it’s both. I disagree that “Intelligent Design” is something which belongs in the science classroom. While philosophy is a science, it is not the physical science that makes up the “science classroom”. However, there are some shortcomings with Darwinian evolution which should not be withheld from students. It certainly would make theists, whether they believe in a literal or symbolic creationism, more receptive to the evidence that is available.

A precise definition of evolution should be presented, which explains the limitations of the hypothesis. In particular is the inability of science to either confirm or deny, any “proofs of God’s existence”, because this is outside the reach of science. James B. Stenson in an article “EVOLUTION: A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE discusses the differences in the scientific definition of evolution, and the definition sometimes used by scientists in their popular commentary.

An official document approved by Pope Pius X in 1909, put forth by the Pontifical Biblical Commission, stated, regarding the first 3 chapters of Genesis, which speak to Creation, say these things must be held by the faithful:

“the creation of all things by God at the beginning of time; the special creation of man; the formation of the first woman from the first man; the unity of the human race; the original happiness of our first parents in the state of justice, integrity, and immortality; the command given by God to man to test his obedience; the transgression of the divine command at the instigation of the devil under the form of a serpent; the degradation of our first parents from that primeval state of innocence; and the promise of a future redeemer.”

So long as science continues in an honest inquiry, faith can be nothing but better informed by science, and should not be hostile to it.