Pontifical Academy of Science Gets Pro-Gay, Pro-Abort Member!

Another head shaker comes to us from the Vatican with the appointment of pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion scientist, Dr. Miguel Nicolelis to the Pontifical Academy of Science. 

Pope names staunch pro-abortion and pro-"gay marriage" scientist to Pontifical Academy of Sciences

This comes on the heels of the appointment of a Protestant as head of the Academy.

Does any of this matter? Does appointing Protestants and those who diametrically oppose Catholic teaching to the Academy affect its deliberations and advice to the pope?

Well, the facetious question, "Is the pope Catholic?," pops into my head. How can it not? Jesus founded a Church where the fullness of the truth lies. That includes the fullness of the truth about the world that God made. Who is most able to carry out scientific inquiry? The man of faith and science like Louis Pasteur or the ridiculer of God and religion, Richard Dawkins? 

What's going on at the Academy implies that being Catholic and an adherent of Catholic truth is no asset to scientific inquiry and may, in fact, be an obstacle. That's exactly what many atheistic and irreligious scientists believe; thus they persecute and boycott those scientists who diverge from the party line -- evolution as the origin of life. As for "intelligent design" they deny it outright because they have decided, de facto, that there can be no intelligent designer. Many are true believers in their own god, the uncaused cause, better known as the primordial soup.

Obviously, science, using the scientific method cannot prove there is a God. Neither can science prove there is not a God. All it can do is observe, develop hypotheses and theories, test them, and draw conclusions about the material world. Believers know there can be no conflict between faith and science since the laws of science were made by the Lawgiver of Life.

As for the Pontifical Academy of Science, in 2004 Gerard Keane (since deceased) published a paper saying, "the Academy has deviated from its proper mission and contributed in no small measure to the current crisis of faith in the Catholic Church." After describing the history of the Academy and its makeup (about 80 scientists from varying specialties, many Nobel prize winners, most non-Catholic) Keane observes:

The idea of a Pontifical Academy of Sciences is praiseworthy but it contains inherent strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, the gaining of information from outstanding scientists and scholars can help Catholics to keep abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and any possible impact on doctrinal teachings....On the other hand, there is the possibility of theological error masquerading under the guise of science. As shocking as it may sound, I submit that there is a strong bias at work within the Academy which in its practical effect is opposed to official Catholic teachings concerning Origins. I contend that the heavily pro-evolution stance of the PAS has resulted in materialistic views being aired at PAS conferences and dissenting doctrinal views also being aired at such conferences....

When one looks at PAS Origins conferences, it is obvious that pro-evolution themes feature strongly. The Academy provides a vehicle for dissemination of evolutionary views, but wrapped in an aura of respectability as a scientific body which is highly regarded by each reigning Pontiff. I contend that the mostly non-Catholic Academy, through its prestigious position, has for many decades asserted effective and largely unchallenged domination of what is being taught regarding creation/evolution in Catholic centers of learning worldwide. Who dares oppose the Academy?

Why does the PAS have a pro-evolution stance when macroevolution has been shown to be impossible? Amazingly, it seems that no one among the PAS experts has even bothered to define exactly what they mean by the term “evolution”! Unless succinctly defined, the idea of evolution remains vague and endlessly elastic, giving rise to deep confusion. Biological evolution can be defined succinctly as “the natural gaining of higher genetic information not possessed by one’s ancestors.”

Keane ends his article with this conclusion about the Academy:

Why is the PAS allowed to conduct conferences in which speculation is made against declared Church doctrine? It’s not good enough for the PAS to issue a disclaimer for such views. The situation is not funny as ultimately the salvation of souls may be at stake. All around the world, the prestige enjoyed by the PAS means that Catholics who are poorly informed about Origins — whether they be clergy or laity — look trustingly to the Academy for guidance but instead receive biased and muddled pro-evolutionary views. The impact is much worse when you consider that many, many young Catholic children are being starved of truth about vital foundational doctrinal beliefs because of the effective and seemingly unchallenged domination exercised by the PAS over Catholic Education. I contend that the PAS is in fact facilitating the on-going crisis of faith within the Catholic Church, and is severely retarding the possible flowering of Catholic culture via evangelization with the truth of Special Creation in an increasingly post-Christian world. The obvious pro-evolution bias of the Academy has not only resulted in the exclusion from membership of Catholic scholars who oppose evolution but has also brought debilitating doctrinal confusion within the true Church founded by Jesus Christ.

It is about time that the functioning of the PAS was overhauled to ensure that it keeps within proper limits and within declared Catholic teachings. In the meantime, I urge you to fully support the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation in whatever sphere of influence you may have within the Church and within society at large, and of course with your prayers as well. Let us re-evangelize anew with the truth of Special Creation!

From the recent appointment of Dr. Nicolelis, the "overhaul" sought by Keane seems farther away than ever. In fact, one can expect that the PAS will continue to promote a world view that, in some cases, is diametrically opposed to Church teaching. Catholics need to remember the global warming hoax and the emails that showed so-called reputable scientists falsifying data and conspiring to prevent publication of those with whom they disagreed. Having a long list of initials after one's name is no proof of honesty or integrity. And in fact, the views it articulates are ultimately those of the individual scientists who make them and not necessarily to be trusted.

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