Clarifying Catholic teaching

The New York Times opens its collective mind again. They permit a piece by Christoph Schönborn that clarifies the position of the Roman Catholic Church on evolution and design in nature. It begins:

EVER since 1996, when Pope John Paul II said that evolution (a term he did not define) was "more than just a hypothesis," defenders of neo-Darwinian dogma have often invoked the supposed acceptance - or at least acquiescence - of the Roman Catholic Church when they defend their theory as somehow compatible with Christian faith.

But this is not true. The Catholic Church, while leaving to science many details about the history of life on earth, proclaims that by the light of reason the human intellect can readily and clearly discern purpose and design in the natural world, including the world of living things.

Kudos to the Times for allowing (at least in this instance) a correction of frequent misrepresentations of the church's position on this issue.

Michael Behe discusses the importance of this here.