Why does Roman Catholic Church accept the evolution theory?

Question

I think there are definitely too many differences between the book of Genesis and the books of science.
Isn't it likely that they are contrast each other? So how can they believe in evolution if on the other hand they believe in 6 days creation?

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 said 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

The Catholic Church does not believe in creation in 6 days.

One thing that should be noted here is that the official stance of the Catholic Church and the stance held by most Catholics are not necessarily the same. If Catholic priests were to actively preach in church that creation in six days didn't literally happen that way, there would be a mass exodus of Catholics from the religion.

The Catholic Church researched evolution and came to the conclusion that it is more correct than the literal interpretation of Genesis. Most Catholics refuse to do the same.

Answer 3

The Catholic Church views the creation story as allegorical, and teaches that Genesis does NOT rule out the possibility of evolution.

You can learn more about this reading up on the literature available for free through the Knights of Columbus website.

Answer 4

If you are correct, I am glad for this. Apparently, they changed their view under Pope John Paul II. Back in the early nineties, I remember reading from "The New Catholic Encyclopedia," the following, verbatim: "The fact of natural evolution can no longer be seriously disputed."
POW!!! They finally got it right. Then they backed off. Now, according to you, they have decided to accept the correct position again. Good for them. Should help to shut up some of the fundies.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church teaches that the Bible is literally true on all matters of spirituality and salvation. It is not a perfect record of history or a complete guide to the incredibly complex math and science that God used to create the universe.

Incidentally, a Catholic priest was the first person to theorize that the universe had been created in a "big bang."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Lema%C3%AEtre

Answer 6

This is why I don't call myself a Catholic. You're right, they really can't compromise like that without sacrificing their stance on Creation being literal - something's gotta give, so they go with what looks good.

I hold to the fact that science and faith are not at odds - but that's not a popular idea, especially not with public school science books. Clearly, somebody's wrong about something.

Answer 7

as a catholic i think i can answer this. for most the story of Gensis is a story. We believe that God did create the world in that its delevopment was set in motion by God. He is the creator of life in that without him there is no big bang no monkey to evolve. I put this question to any who doubt this where did life come from? one of the axioms of science is you can not create something from nothing and you can not make something into nothing. the big bang, the atom, the breathe of life had to be created.

Answer 8

Because they went the road of the flat world before, and look where it got them! (Dang that Queen Isabella!)

Answer 9

They know there's no point in looking stupid. This isn't 12th century.