This is a complex subject and there are many theories of evolution, not just one. Nonetheless the answer is that a Catholic may believe in evolution if the theory does not deny any of the truths of faith. Science and faith don't contradict each other, because God made both. If there is a seeming contradiction is because we have not reached the proper depth. In particular, the following truths of faith must be preserved and not denied in any way:

1. God created the universe out of nothing. It was not a "chance" event.
2. Human beings are generated from two parents: Adam and Eve.
3. God not only created the universe, but his providence is continually active in the universe.
4. The human soul is created immediately by God.

A Catholic may also choose not to believe in a theory of evolution. Most of the evolution theories usually deny one of the points above, and most of them consider the human person as if it consisted only in the body. The truth is that a human person consists in both, a body and a soul.

Another point that is usually denied is that we come from two parents: Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve are the first human beings from which we were generated, because they are the first beings with a human soul. The body may or may not have evolved from lower animal forms, but the fact is that Adam and Eve were the first human beings from which we descend. For more information you can read the Encyclical Humani Generis by Pope Pius XII.

Did you know that in order to evaluate whether you action is good or bad you must look at three aspects?

• The Object:This is the direct action that the person intends to do, for example, give pills to stop the pain of a friend.
• The Circumstance:These are the accompanying circumstances, for example, you know the person is seriously allergic to the specific pill you want to use.
• The Intention or end: This is the ulterior motive that the person has for performing the action, for example, you want the person to get better so that he can go back to work to support his family

All three of them must be good in order for the action to be good. In the example above, the action would not be good because the allergic reaction of your friend (the circumstances) is not good, even though the object and the intention are good.

There are certain objects that are bad regardless of the circumstances or the intention. For example, adultery is always wrong, even if you did it to save a whole nation of people from a menacing tyrant.

In the case of Terry Schiavo the object is wrong, because it is always wrong to deliberately deprive an innocent person from food and water. It is even worse if the intention is to cause their death.

We have had some talks about Vatican II and its true meaning at St. Peter Chanel Church in Roswell, GA. It consists of seven sessions starting on Jun 8 2005. The handouts and the audio are available from the links below.

Listen to session 1 - June 8 2005...... Handout for session 1 - June 8 2005

Audio is not available for session 2...... Handout for session 2 - June 15 2005

Listen to session 3 - June 22 2005...... Handout for session 3 - June 22 2005

Listen to session 4 - June 29 2005...... Handout for session 4 - June 29 2005

Listen to session 5 - July 20 2005...... Handout for session 5 - July 20 2005

Listen to session 6 - July 25 2005...... Handout for session 6 - July 25 2005

Listen to session 7 - July 27 2005...... Handout for session 7 - July 27 2005

May the Lord bless you and protect you, and may He send His Holy Mother to guide you as you listen to these talks.

In the Holy Eucharist,
Omar

And I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Mother, and Mother of Our New Pope, to protect him, guide him, give him strength in those difficult moments under the weight he will have to shoulder. I ask, oh Most Blessed Mother, to grant Him special graces, even beyond those appropriate for the Petrine office, so that he may make many saints in the Holy Church that your Son established. Amen.

In the Holy Eucharist,

Omar Loggiodce

Like a perfect leader, following the model of His Heavenly Leader, the Holy Father never pointed to himself, but to The One who sent him. And so it should be with all Christians. All the news are talking about the Truth, the Way and the Life without fully realizing it. This is because Our Holy Father did not wish to do anything on his own, but only say the words of The One who sent him. This is the Vicar of Christ, this was Our Pope.

Following his written intention on paragraph 84 of Universi Dominici Gregis I pray to Our Father in heaven to send His Holy Mother to accompany the College of Cardinals in the most delicate task of the election, and to grant them Wisdom, Faith, Love and Hope so that they may, in everything, follow the Will of God, with the aid of Our Mother, Mother Mary, for the sake and salvation of the whole world. Amen

In the Holy Eucharist,
Omar Loggiodice

We live in a society that values the production of goods, and Terri could not produce anything for the material mind. But she did produce a great amount of love and compassion, and courageous witness by many. She brought growth of virtue to many, precisely through her being killed. Many were courageous. Many persevered and continue to persevere. Many were obedient to the Church. Many showed charity. Many have hope. Many strengthened their faith. This is what Christ did for us. This is what Terri did for us in Christ. Christ died and was resurrected so that we may have faith and be justified before God. Terri, in a mysterious way, is also calling men back to faith, to living a life in the way God planned it since the beginning. This is the only way to true happiness.

Suffering takes a new meaning when seen in the light of Christ, and so Terri's suffering will not go unnoticed by God. Much good has come and will come from it, for those that follow the ways of God. We can see the good that has come from it in all the spiritual growth that has occurred in the past few weeks. But for those that are against God, God himself will be their judge. May they change their ways, and know the depths of darkness which they have entered. May they know that Christ was killed for them, even though they killed Christ's child. May the Lord give us courage to live His ways, in this society which has turned away from Him. Amen.

In the Holy Eucharist,
Omar Loggiodice

Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.

If you want to listen to it you can click here (320 Kb)