Evolution and the Catholic Church

http://catalog.americancatholic.org/product.aspx?prodid=C0310&pcat=78

A great new issue of Catholic Update from St. Anthony Messenger Press just came out on Evolution and our Catholic faith. The idea is that proper science is in no way a conflict with proper theology and Biblical scholarship.

As people of faith, we need to encounter sacred scripture properly: the Church teaches that the Bible is "true in the literal sense". So we need to discern the type of literature (history, story, liturgical poetry, parable, prophecy), the intended audience (Jews, Christians, people under oppression, kings, peasantry), the author's intent, and so on. The Jews and the early Church never considered Genesis a science textbook.

As people in a science-based world, we also must be alert to the proper use of science. Science can only tell about the Creation, and can tell nothing about the Creator. Atheists consistently try to pervert the science of evolution in order to support their faith in no God ("There is no God, and Darwin is our Prophet!). When you spot atheists who are also scientists trying to disprove faith, rest assured it is because they have first put their faith in atheism. Atheism does not arise naturally and logically from science. I am an engineer, and rest assured, many, many scientists and engineers from a nearby national laboratory go to my parish and are devout Catholics.

Catholic Update is handed out monthly at my parish -- a really wonderful way to remind Catholics about the basics (e.g. Confession, Baptism) as well as hot topics (e.g. Marriage as between one man and one woman, stem cell research).

Here is the full description of the article on the St. Anthony Messenger Press website:

In this issue of Catholic Update, Sr. Paula Gonzalez tackles the age-old question of the compatibility of the findings of evolutionary science with the Catholic belief in a creator God. She writes, "Two major reasons for resistance to evolution are: 1) the mistaken idea that Darwin's theory of evolution excludes supernatural involvement in the development of the natural world, and 2) the general public's limited understanding of the scientific evidence that has made this theory universally accepted in the scientific community." She concludes that evolution need not threaten faith and cites various pontifical statements in support of this conclusion. One, by Pope Pius XII in the 1950 encyclical, Humani generis, states "biological evolution is compatible with Christian faith." In 1996, Pope John Paul II stated, "[N]ew scientific knowledge has led us to realize that the theory of evolution is no longer a mere hypothesis." She quotes the late Father Thomas Berry as we look to the future, "The Great Work now, as we move into a new millennium, is to carry out the transition from a period of human devastation to a period when humans would be present to the planet in a mutually beneficent manner." In light of this, Gonzalez writes, "Our times require that all of us appreciate our part in this great work of co-creation."

SISTER PAULA GONZALEZ, S.C., Ph.D. taught biology at the College of Mt. St. Joseph for 20 years. She is cofounder and board member of Ohio Interfaith Power and Light, and gives many workshops and retreats across the United States and Canada.

Just Wrote My Congressperson: How About You?

I just went to the California Catholic Conference website, and sent emails to my legislators on three different Bills that are pending in Congress or the State Legislature right now.

One is about unacceptable interference of the Federal government in private (i.e. Catholic) schools, one is on supporting peace in the Sudan, and one is on health care reform (protect the unborn, protect conscience rights, make health care available to as many as possible).

If you are a Californian, go to the link below and sign up for the Catholic Legislative Network -- you will get regular alerts when bills are before Congress and all Catholic voters need be heard.

http://www.cacatholic.org/index.php/take-action/join-the-catholic-legislative-network.html

If you aren't in California, I suspect the Network below may direct you correctly. When you find the right spot for your state, please comment on this post and share the info.

Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have been working for years now to end the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. True life imprisonment is a reality here in my home state of California -- it was established in the 1970's, I believe, and there are about 2000 people serving this sentence -- and not one has ever been released. So for those of you concerned about public safety, life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is a real alternative that works.

And then there's the little issue about if you capture, convict and execute the wrong guy . . . you can recover from mistakes with life imprisonment.

There is also a fairness issue -- 12 States in the USA do not have the death penalty, Texas and California execute the most people, and gosh, if you are poor and a man of color, you are headed for death row, but if you are rich and/or white . . . you almost never end up on death row. And let's not even talk about the errors and potential for corruption.

All of this is solved by simply not executing people -- life imprisonment works, protects society, allows recovery from mistakes, is cheaper, etc.

What can you do about the death penalty?

1. Pray for victims of crime and their families, those who have been wrongly convicted, and those awaiting execution.

2. Learn about Catholic social teaching, criminal justice policies, and California policies.

3. Educate others.

4. Advocate by contacting your elected officials, and urge them to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment without parole.

For more information, go to: http://www.usccb.org/deathpenalty/

"Ending the death penalty would be one important step away from a culture of death and toward building a culture of life.” -- A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005

The Holy Father calls recourse to the death penalty “unnecessary” and painfully reminds us that our “model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message.” (Pope John Paul II, World Day of the Sick, Washington, DC, February 2003)

US Bishops Have Great Videos!

Check out these videos from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops! http://www.usccb.org/video/

Daily Reflections: Reflections on the daily Mass readings,

The Sacraments: tutorials on the Sacraments (believe me, there is a ton to learn -- you'd be amazed at how much you don't know),

One-on-One: interviews with people living their faith -- you are not alone!,

Faith Works: people taking action in the world, e.g. Pro-Life marches, Catholic Charities USA, etc.

Wow!

US Bishops Have Great Podcasts

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has produced some terrific Catholic podcasts. Kudos to the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Below I am giving the titles as they appear on iTunes and the URL for the homepage.

American Catholic Radio, http://www.usccb.org/ccc/catholicradio.shtml -- a light-hearted show produced in conjunction with the Franciscans, providing facts of faith, answers from listeners, stories of Catholics living their faith, and some reflection time. A terrific and easy way to know your faith so you can grow in your faith.

Catholic Radio Weekly, http://www.usccb.org/ccc/catholicradio.shtml
-- Catholic news from around the world, Vatican news, what Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services are doing, how regular Catholics are living their faith. Very professionally done.

Lenten Radio Retreat, http://usccb.org/lent/audio_video.shtml
-- A relaxing 30 minutes for you to reflect on the Gospel of the week.

Lino at Large, http://www.usccb.org/ccc/catholicradio.shtml
-- For young adults and anyone who wants some energy and fun! Tackles challenging topics like how to live our faith in the 21st century. Upbeat and light.

Personally Speaking with Msgr Jim Lisante, http://www.usccb.org/ccc/catholicradio.shtml
-- Monsignor Lisante interviews famous Christians from sports, film, the arts, politics -- people who are great role models and are living their discipleship. I loved the show with Tony Orlando (the 1970's pop star) -- did you know the Orlando family had a disabled child that brought love and light to the whole family?

Daily Readings from the New American Bible, http://www.usccb.org/nab/nabpodcast.shtml
-- Don't have time to read the Bible? Think again! A variety of voices read the daily Mass readings; the Sunday readings have really great choirs and soloists doing the Psalm of the day. They post an entire month at a time. March should be up by the end of today.

A "podcast" is just like a radio show, but distributed online, you can listen whenever you choose, and you can easily hear previous episodes. You can listen from the web page, download to your portable mp3 device, subscribe via iTunes, or write to an audio CD.

Sister of Charity Tells How Theory of Evolution is Not Contrary to Faith

Today I listened to "American Catholic Radio", a weekly podcast sponsored by the Communication Campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in conjunction with the Franciscans.

I heard a wonderful interview of Sister of Charity Paula Gonzalez. Sister Paula is a former professor of biology, now working as an environmentalist, presenting workshops and retreats on how to live in better harmony with creation.

Last November she wrote an article in St. Anthony Messenger about Charles Darwin, the theory of evolution and how it relates to our Catholic faith. Sister Paula kindly points out that the theory of evolution is not contrary to our Catholic faith, although some atheists do try to use it that way. Evolution is, in fact, an excellent scientific theory that is supported by a large body of scientific fact.

Evolution simply appears to be the way that God chose to create the Universe and fill it with life. How wonderful Thou art, O God! How mighty the works of Thy Hands! Our Eternal Creator continues to support and sustain all His Creation. Praise God!

Read Sister Paula's article is at: http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Nov2009/Feature2.asp

Hear the interview with Sister Paula on American Catholic Radio program #10-07, February 8, 2010, at: http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=307

American Catholic Radio is also available as a podcast on iTunes.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen Now On Internet!

Archbishop Fulton Sheen was one of the best public voices for the Roman Catholic Church -- his radio show was outstanding. Yet, many people today have not heard him -- well, he has passed away.

But now some wonderful people have put him on the Internet! His voice lives on!

The main thing is that Archbishop Sheen gives really, really good explanations of the Roman Catholic faith, making it very easy to learn about our faith, and to defend our faith.

Here is a website I just went to tonight, and I am downloading all the mp3 files as I write this:
http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/articles/sheen.htm

Step Up California, Campaign to Cut Poverty

Approximately 30 percent of Californian families do not earn enough to pay for basic needs. Many of them are struggling with inadequate resources and are forced to make hard choices between hunger, housing and health care.

To build awareness of the facts and to fight poverty more effectively, Catholic Charities of California launched Step Up California, Campaign to Cut Poverty.

For more information on the Step Up California campaign and on what you can do, visit: http://www.stepupca.org

The program has six concrete steps that you can take:

* Step 1: Support Our Resolution
* Step 2: Join Us
* Step 3: Advocate
* Step 4: Volunteer Your Time
* Step 5: Make a Donation
* Step 6: Educate

Fast for Haiti program

Fast for Haiti is a program by a Catholic youth ministry leader.

The tradition of fasting and praying is thousands of years old -- raise your small sacrifice in prayer to God -- it is really powerful.

Since Lent is coming up, this is a good way to start thinking about how you will live out prayer, fasting and almsgiving for your Lenten observance.

http://www.fastforhaiti.com/

Preaching and Promoting the Gospel of Life

Does an embryo have a soul?

Isn't society justified in putting to death a criminal that has committed a capital crime?

Why should taxpayers have to support health care and schooling for undocumented children?

Why didn't Pope John Paul II agree to call President Bush's invasion of Iraq a "just war"?

When did health care become a "right"?

All of these apparently unconnected questions actually involve the same central Catholic moral principle, the consistent ethic of life. This principle is often associated with Cardinal Joseph Bernardin’s 1983 proposal of the “seamless garment” analogy, a reference from John 19:23 to the seamless robe of Jesus, to provide a moral compass to help Catholics apply moral principles to life issues present in the public square.

The “consistent ethic of life,” as it is now commonly articulated, states basically that all human life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. In his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II taught the principle clearly:

• “"Human life is sacred and inviolable at every moment of existence” (n. 61).
• “As far as the right to life is concerned, every innocent human being is absolutely equal to all others” (n. 57).

Read more about this in a great article by By Rev. Richard Benson, C.M. at http://www.cacatholic.org/index.php/news-and-analysis/life-issues/bioethics/651-gospel-life.html

Catholic Relief Services Brings Help to Haiti

Generous contributions from Catholics across the country to Catholic Relief Services are helping thousands of Haitians after the devastating earthquake on January 12th.

Catholic Relief Services has provided food and other emergency supplies to more than 90,000 people through two large sites and parish distribution sites across Port-au-Prince. Catholic Relief Services medical teams are treating 300 per day.

For more information on Catholic Relief Services relief efforts in Haiti as well as prayer resources, educational resources, and information on how you can help with the long-term rebuilding process, go to www.crs.org.

For a beautiful prayer in solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters, visit: http://education.crs.org/resources/prayer-after-eq-haiti.pdf

Catholic Relief Services is the global outreach arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. They do great and lasting work for social justice and charity. A really effective organization!

Justice for Immigrants Campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' -- Matthew 25:35-36

Our bishops’ are currently launching a national campaign to support comprehensive immigration reform. This effort will educate and engage Catholics around the country on this critical issue. Learn more at: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/

What Have Popes Said About Migration?

“Every human being has the right to freedom of movement and of residence with the confines of his own state. When there are just reasons in favor or it, he must be permitted to emigrate to other countries and to take up residence there. The fact that he is a citizen of a particular state does not deprive him of membership in the human family, nor the citizenship in that universal society, the common, world-wide fellowship of women and men.” -- Paragraph 25, Pacem in Terris, Encyclical OF Pope John XXIII on Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty, April 1963

"Every man and woman may be regarded as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father"— Pope Benedict XVI

My Family Migrated to America: How About You?

My family has been in America for many generations now. Yet everyone of my forebears came from Northern Europe. My father's grandfather's grandfather fled the chaos following the fall of Napoleon, and came to Indiana by covered wagon. My mother's great grandmother's a few back all fled Scotland and England -- probably they were destitute second sons or other outcasts.

Try finding out about your own family tree. Unless you are 100% native American, your family were also migrants to America.

New Podcast: Catholic Stuff You Should Know

I just found a new podcast on iTunes: "Catholic Stuff You Should Know".

Just a few minutes long, this podcast presents fun facts of faith in a lighthearted, bantering style. If you are familiar with the "Stuff You Should Know" series for technology and history, you know what I mean.

I am a catechist for RCIA and a member of the pastoral council in my parish. I listened to the first four podcasts, and they were faithful to the Roman Catholic Church. One of the podcasters is an ordained deacon, and the other is a lay person -- and they know their theology and history . . . and can present the faith in an entertaining and engaging way!

The website is: http://www.catholicstuffpodcast.com

US Bishops Fight Human Trafficking

800,000 people are caught in this modern day form of slavery every year – and up to 50,000 are moved annually into the United States. Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world and is closely tied to the international arms trade. Women and children are the most common victims.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services Department helps survivors, trains volunteers, provides awareness, education and advocacy. For information on how to assist victims and combat this horrendous crime, phone (202) 541-3357, or visit: http://www.usccb.org/mrs/trafficking/usccbresponse.shtml

What does Catholic Social Teaching say?

"Slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children and disgraceful working conditions, where people are treated as mere instruments of gain . . . poison human society . . . and debase their perpetrators." (Gaudium et Spes, The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Paragraph #27)

What can you do? It looks like our prayers and financial support to Catholic Charities USA are the best immediate action to take for the average parishioner. For direct involvement, contact your local Catholic Charities office, found through the main website of Catholic Charities USA.

Busting the Over Population Myth: Catholic Scientist Sets Record Straight

The Catholic Laboratory podcast is a wonderful program put on by a Catholic scientist.

In episode 24, Ian Maxfield systematically and logically refutes common myths about over-population. This is important for Pro-Life because all of these over-population myths are used as arguments for abortion and infanticide the world over.

http://www.catholiclab.net/TheCatholicLaboratory/Podcast/Entries/2009/12/17_Cathlab24_-_Dear_Sir_David_Attenborough_....html

Did you know that we have enough clean drinking water and food and living space on planet Earth? The key is the distribution. First world over-consumption and food waste play their part, as well. And don't forget oppressive regimes and their human rights abuses.

Ian Maxfield provides a detailed and careful analysis of this complex issue -- don't take my word for it -- go listen to episode 24 of "The Catholic Laboratory" podcast.

Walk for Life in San Francisco: 40,000 Despite the Rain!

The West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco last weekend was amazing! Imagine 40,000 people standing in the rain to listen to speakers championing life, and then walking 2.5 miles along the San Francisco waterfront -- parents with children in strollers, elderly men and women, Roman Catholic Christians, Evangelical Protestant Christians, Jews, Mormons -- everyone celebrating and praying for life.

The purpose is to stand up and say: human life is sacred and must be defended from conception to natural death.

We are supportive of mothers, of fathers, and of babies. No one was there to condemn a woman with an unexpected pregnancy. Everyone was there to help mothers, and to help fathers, and to help babies -- to give a voice to the voiceless.

Everyone was praying, singing, laughing or just quietly walking. The only frowns were from tiny knots of counter protesters, a strange mix of atheists, pro-choice advocates, and random advocates for who knows what (this was San Francisco after all).

The leaders of the procession held signs like this: "I regret my lost fatherhood", "I regret my abortion", "Women deserve better than abortion".

Some of my favorite signs read: "As a former fetus, I oppose abortion", "A person is a person, no matter how small. Dr. Seuss", "Jesus heals".

The speakers included: a woman who deeply regrets killing her baby, a former abortion clinic worker who had a conversion and now is a Pro-Life advocate, an Evangelical Protestant minister, a Pro-Life advocate from France, a Roman Catholic priest -- really inspiring.

What can you do? Please write your Congressional representative to keep abortion funding out of health care reform. I recommend this easy to use site by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:

http://tinyurl.com/StopAbortion

Also, keep an eye out for people collecting signatures for a change to the Constitution of the State of California to change the definition of a human being to include a fetus.

Free Audio Bibles for iPod! Also on iTunes!

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has a wonderful program to distribute audio Bibles to the world!

Try it out!

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/ambassador/free-audio-bible-download

I recommend the English Standard Version Audio Drama New Testament: The translation is easy to listen to, all the characters are done by different performers, and the music and special sound effects make the Word of God come alive! Your kids will love it! You will love it!

Over 400 languages now available! Because much of the world is illiterate, this is a great ministry for spreading the Bible!

If you wish to make a donation, of course Faith Comes By Hearing is happy to receive it. But they are also happy to give away their wonderful productions free of charge.

Don't have time to read the Bible? Think again! Think the Bible is hard to understand and boring? Think again!

US Bishops Ask Us to Write Congress: Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform

Here is a message from the Social Justice Coordinator from my own bishop's office:

Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform:
Protect Conscience - Ensure Affordable Health Coverage - Allow Immigrants to Purchase Private Health Insurance

As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW: Contact your Representative and Senators today by e-mail as soon as possible. It took me less than 5 minutes today. To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.

To read a nice summary of the US Bishops' position, go to: http://www.oakdiocese.org/pastoral/SocialJustice/

LA Congress Coming March 19-21: Join 40,000 Catholics!

http://www.recongress.org/

The Religious Education Congress, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education, is the nation's largest annual gathering of Roman Catholics!

Over the three days, Congress 2010 will offer 272 workshops presented by over 200 speakers . Topics range from personal growth to music to spiritual topics – in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

My parish always sends a busload down -- and people rave about it!

If you want to be re-inspired by the Holy Spirit, this is the place to be!

Pope Benedict Links Hunger and Climate Change

This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. --Jeremiah 22:3

In his message to the World Summit on Food Security, the Holy Father said, "The desire to possess and to exploit the resources of the planet in an excessive and disordered manner is the primary cause of all environmental degradation." He continued, "While the entire human race is called to acknowledge its obligations to future generations, it is also true that States and international organizations have a duty to protect the environment as a shared good. "

Read the entire statement at: http://zenit.org/article-27563?l=english

My understanding is that there is, in fact, enough arable land on the planet to allow everyone to grow enough food, but that the distribution of land needs improvement. For example, do we really need golf courses in poor areas? Would not the land be better used by the local people to grow food? Or, do we really need to eat beef? Poultry and pork can be a far more productive source of protein.

Also, climate change will hit the poorest among us the hardest. We need to watch out for that.

I think it is always a good idea to read the Pope's own words, and take with a grain of salt any summaries you see in the secular press -- they do not understand Christian values, and often distort our Holy Father's meaning. Fortunately, all of the Pope's statements end up on the Vatican website, so that's easy enough.