Pope states Big Bang and evolution theories are compatible with God

Pope states Big Bang and evolution theories are compatible with God

IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral July 16, 2018 07:04 PM

Pope Francis has declared that Big Bang and evolution theories are real, and God is not a "magician with a magic wand".
Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made some rather progressive statements.
The 81-year-old Pontiff made statements that experts claim will put an end to the "pseudo theories" of creationism and intelligent design.
Pope Francis said both evolution and the Big Bang were "not incompatible" with the existence of God, and both "required" a creator.

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"When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so," Francis said.
"The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it. Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve."
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As the Catholic Church has historically chosen to remain anti-scientific, Pope Francis's comments are considered very progressive. Pope Pius XII opened the door to the idea of evolution and actively welcomed the Big Bang theory in 1951. In 1996, John Paul II suggested evolution was "effectively proven fact". However, most recent Pope, Benedict XVI, maintained that intelligent design underpins evolution.


Pope Francis will arrive in Ireland on August 25 for a two-day visit.