Editor:
Regarding Father Gregorio’s column of Nov. 11, “Catholic understanding of the Bible verses literalism”: while Pope John Paul II did say we can subscribe to evolution as long as we don’t deny that God is Creator, I don’t believe he said we cannot interpret Scripture literally.
The “solid science” which Father references should mean empirical science, that which can be tested under the same conditions time after time, with the same result. But such is not the case. For example, scientists can speculate and attempt to duplicate conditions under which life first began. What was the mix of chemicals, and other atmospheric conditions present at that exact moment? But since it is impossible to know those conditions with certainty, some of what is presented as solid science is mere speculation, and impossible to test empirically. And, though they do not get the positive publicity in the media, many credible modern scientists are open to literal interpretations of difficult to accept scripture passages.
If only Genesis 1:11 and a few other Old Testament accounts are allegories, why smear fellow believers with the broad brush of illiteracy? Does that not risk tossing out those morals being taught along with the ink? As we Catholics seek truth together, guided by the magisterium of the church, it seems to me the charitable position would be a respectful co-existence. After all, literalism is not the same as heresy, and we will never know all the answers to the great questions this side of heaven.
Homer Magpiong
Bellmawr
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