Posted on 02/10/2009 1:03:46 PM PST by NYer
... is going to sponsor and host a four-day conference on biological evolution and Darwin's theory of the origin of species. From Vatican Information Service:
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
VATICAN CITY, 10 FEB 2009 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office this morning, the presentation took place of an international conference entitled: "Biological Evolution: Facts and Theories. A critical appraisal 150 years after 'The Origin of Species'". The event is due to take place in Rome from 3 to 7 March.
The congress has been jointly organised by the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, U.S.A., under the patronage of the Pontifical Council for Culture and as part of the STOQ Project (Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest).
Participating in today's press conference were Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture and president of the Committee of Honour of the congress; Fr. Marc Leclerc S.J., professor of the philosophy of nature at the Gregorian University and director of the congress; Fr. Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti, professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and Saverio Forestiero, professor of zoology at Rome's Torvergata University and a member of the organising committee.
Archbishop Ravasi pointed out that the forthcoming congress responds to the need "to re-establish dialogue between science and faith, because neither of them can fully resolve the mystery of human beings and the universe".
For his part Fr. Leclerc explained that the congress will be divided into nine sessions, focusing on "the essential facts upon which the theory of evolution rests, facts associated with palaeontology and molecular biology; ... the scientific study of the mechanisms of evolution, ... and what science has to say about the origin of human beings". Attention will also be given to "the great anthropological questions concerning evolution, ... and the rational implications of the theory for the epistemological and metaphysical fields and for the philosophy of nature". Finally, he said, "there will be two theological sessions to study evolution from the point of view of Christian faith, on the basis of a correct exegesis of the biblical texts that mention the creation, and of the reception of the theory of evolution by the Church".
Saverio Forastiero observed that "the relative fluidity of contemporary evolutionary theory is largely due to a series of discoveries made in the last quarter of a century, discoveries which require the synthetic theory to be reconfigured and could lead to a theory of evolution of the third generation".
"It is my view", he went on, "that this congress represents an opportunity, neither propagandistic nor apologetic, for scientists, philosophers and theologians to meet and discuss the fundamental questions raised by biological evolution - which is assumed and discussed as a fact beyond all reasonable doubt - in order to examine its manifestations and causal mechanisms, and to analyse the impact and quality of the explanatory theories thus far proposed".
For his part, Fr. Tanzella-Nitti highlighted how "from the perspective of Christian theology, biological evolution and creation are by no means mutually exclusive. ... None of the evolutionary mechanisms opposes the affirmation that God wanted - in other words, created - man. Neither is this opposed by the casual nature of the many events that happened during the slow development of life, as long as the recourse to chance remains a simple scientific reading of phenomena".
"I hope", he went on, "that the natural sciences may be used by theology as a positive informational resource, and not just seen as a source of problems. ... I do not believe biological evolution is possible in a materialist world, without information, without direction, without a plan. In a created world, the role of theology is precisely that of talking to us about nature and the meaning it has, of the Logos which, as Benedict XVI likes to say, is the uncreated foundation of all things and of history".
Meanwhile, some open-minded, tolerant, and completely objective chemistry professors at Boston College are upset that the Jesuit school has reintroduced crucifixes into classrooms. Hmmmm...
Also, an Associated Press piece about the conference expresses some befuddlement about how various Catholic leaders (Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Schönborn, etc.) can apparently disagree on particulars about evolutionary theory.
Several articles on related topics can be found on the Intelligent Project website:
Yet how well known is this? Instead the Vatican is going to erect a statue to the little mamzer.
Do you have any idea why people who logically should have no moral code and no purpose in life are such fanatical crusaders for "truth?" If you ever get one please share it with me. Pure bone meanness is all I can come up with.
What a pathetic slur.
I would not place it at Darwin, however. The crisis began before the Reformation with the William of Occam.
You have a talent for hyperbole. If he's gone, I'm gone.
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have insulted you. And I miss widey terribly.
I would not place it at Darwin, however. The crisis began before the Reformation with the William of Occam.
Actually it began even before that, but probably the less said about that on this forum the better.
It wasn’t an insult, and I didn’t take it as one.
Catholic is a self defining term. Those who believe in the teachings of the Church are Catholic. Those who do not accept the teachings of the Church, regardless of that they call themselves, are not Catholic. Your bitterness toward the Church speaks greatly about you as a person. By the way, what side of that whole Copernicus thing did you come down on?
INTREP
“from the perspective of Christian theology, biological evolution and creation are by no means mutually exclusive. ... None of the evolutionary mechanisms opposes the affirmation that God wanted - in other words, created - man. Neither is this opposed by the casual nature of the many events that happened during the slow development of life, as long as the recourse to chance remains a simple scientific reading of phenomena”.
Three cheers for Catholicism in general and this Pope in particular.
I look forward to reading about this conference. I’m currently reading one of my Christmas presents, a book called “Creation and Evolution” a collection of lectures and question and answer sessions from one of Pope Benedict’s academic get togethers at Castle Gandolfo.
Pope Benedict (I hope) is moving to produce a more detailed and substantial theology of creation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.