Dear JMaggio:

The "chance" theory is required for evolution to work, as I understand it. This does not, however, automatically preclude a divine creator. No matter what theory proposed by science God is still the first mover, the first cause.

If the universe came into existence by a Big Bang, as some theories suggest, who was it that sparked the Big Bang? Something does not come from nothing, so there had to be some pre-existing "something" that initiated the Big Bang.

The point is that no matter what theory is proposed, God is still in the picture. Those scientist who propose that evolution proves that God does not exist, are not doing science, they are doing "opinion" and opinion is that outside their area of expertise. True science does not disprove God.

In terms of how the universe came into being, the Church leaves such issues to science because that is a scientific question outside of the Church's expertise. Thus, the Church does not disapprove of the theory of Evolution. Evolution may indeed by the way our Creator decided to create.

The point is that scientists should not be doing theology and the Church should not be doing science.

But, the Church does step into science when there are theological issues involved. One such area is in the abortion issue. The Church teaches that the soul is implanted in the person at the moment of conception, thus the product of conception, from the moment of conception, is a human being whose life must be protected.

In the issue of Evolution the Church allows science to do its thing, but offers three provisos that science may not contradict:

1) there is a God;
2) we do have original pair of parents;
3) the soul is not evolved but is individually and specifically created by God at the moment of conception.

As long as science does not interfere with these three points, science may do its thing to explore the possibilities of how the universe came about.

The Creation Story in Genesis does not tell us "how" creation was done, it only tells us "who" is the Creator. The "hows" are left up to science.

With that said, there is overwhelming scientific evidence to support the theory of Evolution. There is no threat to the Faith at all for Evolution to be true (as long as the three points above are not messed with).

At the same time, a good Catholic may choose to not believe in the Theory of Evolution if he wants and he remains a good Catholic.

The 'hows" of creation are just simply not an issue for the Church.

As for our Sun burning out in a few billion years, that is true. All stars are born and eventually die when they run out of nuclear fuel, or for a host of other reasons. Our star, the Sun, will die eventually and our solar system will cease to exist. This is a scientific fact.

This fact does not violate anything of the faith. The Bible does not tell us that the earth "will stand 'until time indefinite'". On the contrary God tells us in the bible that this earth will pass away and a new earth will be created (Matt 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 21:1)

The "passing away" of this earth mentioned in the bible will most likely take place LONG before our Sun dies. It could happen relatively soon; only God knows.

Now with all this said, there is much evidence for "intelligent design." But, that intelligent design does not necessarily preclude Evolution and the process of random selection. God is in the works, no matter how the "works" work :)

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary