Evolution
- By Anne Van Tilburg
- Published 02/23/2008
- Catechism
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Rating:
What is to be said of Evolution?
Evolution is the theory which teaches that all the species of the animal and vegetable world developed from one or a few primitive types.
Firstly, a Catholic must hold - and in this every reasonable person must agree with him - that the universe did not begin of itself. If you go back even to a primitive nebula and claim that the universe evolved from it, you must be able to explain where the primitive nebula came from. Then you must also explain who implanted those marvelous laws by which it slowly evolved into a universe full of wonders and beauties and intelligent creatures like man.
Even if we claim the existence of such a nebula, we must go back further still to the Supreme Being of wonderful power and intelligence Who brought into existence that marvelous nebula capable of so evolving itself; and so we finally come to the Supreme being existing of Himself and existing from all eternity - in other words - to God.
Again, the Catholic must hold that the soul of man is spiritual, and directly created by God - not the result of evolution. With regard to evolution it is only the shallow thinker, the glib easy contributor to the Sunday morning newspaper, who seems to know as much about Pithecanthropus erectus as he does about his next-door neighbor. The true thinker and real scientist is very slow to make sweeping statements. The only definite statement he is willing to make about the missing link is, that it is still missing!
Evolution is the theory which teaches that all the species of the animal and vegetable world developed from one or a few primitive types.
Firstly, a Catholic must hold - and in this every reasonable person must agree with him - that the universe did not begin of itself. If you go back even to a primitive nebula and claim that the universe evolved from it, you must be able to explain where the primitive nebula came from. Then you must also explain who implanted those marvelous laws by which it slowly evolved into a universe full of wonders and beauties and intelligent creatures like man.
Even if we claim the existence of such a nebula, we must go back further still to the Supreme Being of wonderful power and intelligence Who brought into existence that marvelous nebula capable of so evolving itself; and so we finally come to the Supreme being existing of Himself and existing from all eternity - in other words - to God.
Again, the Catholic must hold that the soul of man is spiritual, and directly created by God - not the result of evolution. With regard to evolution it is only the shallow thinker, the glib easy contributor to the Sunday morning newspaper, who seems to know as much about Pithecanthropus erectus as he does about his next-door neighbor. The true thinker and real scientist is very slow to make sweeping statements. The only definite statement he is willing to make about the missing link is, that it is still missing!
Source: Rev.W.Frean, C.SS.R. Commentary on the Catechism.
"The question about the origins of the world and of man has been the object of many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge of the age and dimensions of the cosmos, the development of life-forms and the appearance of man. These discoveries invite us to an even greater admiration for the greatness of the Creator, prompting us to give Him thanks for all his works and for the understanding and wisdom He gives to scholars and researchers."
#283 Catechism of the Catholic Church.