I have heard that the Catholic Church has stated that Evolution is true?

Question

Has anyone else heard about this? or know where I can find more info on it?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church does not take the stories of creation in the Bible literally. Catholics believe the book of Genesis tells religious truth and not necessarily historical fact.

One of the religious truths is that God created everything and declared all was good.

Catholics can believe in the theory of evolution. Or not. The Church does not require belief in evolution.

On August 12, 1950 Pope Pius XII wrote in his encyclical 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, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God.

Here is the complete encyclical: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html

The Church supports science in the discovery of God's creation. At this time, the theory of evolution is the most logical scientific explanation. However tomorrow someone may come up with a better idea.

As long as we believe that God started the whole thing, both the Bible and modern science can live in harmony.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Now you make a brilliant point. But the Catholics provide moral support for evolution graduate programs. The Catholics must be a fence sitter and let this subject fade away. They need the dollars for the church. Catholics have a saying, "never bite the hand that feeds you."

http://nazipope-pee.org/sweet.cath-lickmens

With more love in Christ

Imnotacatholic2 but truths are like white clouds within the blueness of God's heavenly sky.

Answer 3

From an article I read:

Fifty years ago Pope Pius XII said almost the same thing in the encyclical 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."

While not exactly canonizing Darwin, Pius XII did imply that the theory of evolution isn't necessarily inimical to Christianity.

Answer 4

John Paul II was quite vocal about it, there's nothing secretive about it. Yes, the official stance of the Roman Catholic Church is that Evolution is the means by which the truth 'God Created' is expressed.

The RCC thus espouses the concept of theistic evolution.

Answer 5

Well I will have to test it for myself. Is there a way I can test it for myself?

Also what about church science? And Baptist creationsim? If I get a degree in church science, does it become null and void the minute they ratify evolution? How can I get a job teaching church science then?

Also what about the wager God made with the Devil, when God gave the Devil free reign to plant fake fossils all ove the place? It's all getting really complicated. This is confusing as hell.

Answer 6

The position of the late Pope John Paul II was that God was free to do whatever he chose to do, however he chose to do it, and who are we to say otherwise?

There is no prohibition against Catholics believing in the possibility of evolution, only in believing the atheistic version of the theory of evolution.

Answer 7

no, they sort of weaseled around it agreeing on general terms but firmly stated that god could be behind it all or something.

But you are right insofar that the pope is definitely not stupid enough to take on evolution head-on, that is reserved for ignorant american creationists for the entertainment of us all.

Google a bit for pope+evolution and you'll find the statement, the critiques and the countercritiques.

Answer 8

They also decided to pardon Galileo for being right. I wouldn't worry too much about the opinions of a bunch of elderly celibate homophobes in dresses.

Answer 9

Pope John Paul 2 said that it was "more than a hypotheis".

Answer 10

I was raised Catholic and we were taught evolution.