Too Conservative

Leading Cardinal Redefines Church's View on Evolution - New York Times: "Cardinal Schoenborn, who is on the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education, said the office had no plans to issue new guidance to teachers in Catholic schools on evolution. But he said he believed students in Catholic schools, and all schools, should be taught that evolution is just one of many theories. Many Catholic schools teach Darwinian evolution, in which accidental mutation and natural selection of the fittest organisms drive the history of life, as part of their science curriculum."

Granted it's not quite this black and white..... he basically supports the "intelligent design" theory that says we have common ancestors but that God has been inextricably involved every step of the way etc etc. Whether or not the process was totally randomized, I think it's pretty clear that natural selection and such has been at work. But suggesting that Catholic schools take a step backward!? Appalling! After having gone to Easter Mass in Vienna, the holiest mass of the year, I can tell you up front that the fire of the spirit and the real throbbing heart of Catholicism has largely left St. Stephen's Cathedral, where I presume the Cardinal's seat is. The mass was cold, touristy, and absolutely lacking in feeling, love, and power. The Cardinal clearly is dwelling in a world of Catholic rules and doctrine rather than Catholic spirit and love--and that, for a shepherd of the flock, is a tremendous mistake.

Read the article. His actual opinion piece that triggered this article is available here.