Evolution and creation: A recurring papal theme, often misunderstood

Published: 2008-02-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican newspaper ran an illustration of a chimpanzee in late January. The odd thing about this chimp was that he was urbanely dressed in a sweater, tie and straw hat and looked as if he might be striding across the lawn at Oxford. The image was a grabber, though it didn't have much to do with the accompanying article, a lengthy exposition of how evolution can be considered a means of divine creation. "Evolution and creation cannot be in opposition. God can have created a world with the capacity to change and evolve through natural causes," it said. The article, by Italian biologist Fiorenzo Facchini, was another element of a debate that has kept percolating to the surface under Pope Benedict XVI. In commentaries, papal speeches, scientific conferences and philosophical exchanges, the Vatican has been focusing more and more on the relationship between God and evolution.

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