The words of Pope Francis might put an end to the never-ending debate about Big Bang theory and theory of evolution.
Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Pope Francis has declared that the theories of evolution and the Big Bang theory are all real.
He also mentioned that God is not “a magician with a magic wand” that is able to do everything in instant.
“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,” the Pope said.
He further explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator but instead, they require it.
“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.” He added.
Having a reputation of being anti-science, the Catcholic Church is now starting to change its stance about theory of evolution and the Big Bang theory.
Experts said that the Pope’s declaration can put an end to the “pseudo theories” of creationism and intelligent design that were said to be encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI.
During his tenure as the head of the Catholic Church, Benedict XVI and his close advisers endorsed the idea that intelligent design underpins evolution.
This idea clearly states that natural selection on its own is not enough to explain the world.
Cardinal Schoenborn, a close associate of Benedict XVI, went further by writing an article saying “evolution in the sense of common ancestry might be true, but evolution in the neo-Darwinian sense – an unguided, unplanned process – is not”.
The president of Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics, Professor Giovanni Bignami said in an interview that the pope’s statement is really significant.
He also mentioned that we are indeed the direct descendents from the Big Bang that created the whole universe and the evolution came from creation.
Philosophy of Science Professor Giulio Giorello of Milan’s University degli Studi reportedly said that Pope Francis’ declaration was just an attempt to reduce the emotion of dispute or presumed disputes with science.
(via Independent.Co.Uk, Wikipedia, jpost,catholicherald.co.uk)
