Catholic World News News Feature

Australian cardinal comfortable with Intelligent Design September 05, 2005

Cardinal Pell told The Australian that although the theory of evolution can be reconciled with Christian doctrine, sometimes evolution is presented "in an anti-God way." Where that is the case, he said, "I'd be happy for them to talk about design or intelligent design."

The cardinal was responding to a controversy that arose in Australia when education minister Brendan Nelson voiced his approval for the teaching of Intelligent Design in public schools. Some scientists protested, claiming that the ID theory is inherently religious-- thus echoing a controversy that has excited comment in the US.

Cardinal Pell, in his remarks to The Australian, noted that science has its limitations in discussions of ultimate causes. The physical evidence may indicate that nature follows a design, he observed; but it remains for philosophy and theology to speak about the designer.