Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

[Prof Maxwell]

Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation."

In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes said that such a notion "doesn't contradict our faith" because aliens would still be God's creatures. Ruling out the existence of aliens would be like "putting limits" on God's creative freedom, he said.

The interview, headlined "The extraterrestrial is my brother," covered a variety of topics including the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and science, and the theological implications of the existence of alien life.

Funes said science, especially astronomy, does not contradict religion, touching on a theme of Pope Benedict XVI, who has made exploring the relationship between faith and reason a key aspect of his papacy.

The Bible "is not a science book," Funes said, adding that he believes the Big Bang theory is the most "reasonable" explanation for the creation of the universe. The theory says the universe began billions of years ago in the explosion of a single, super-dense point that contained all matter.

But he said he continues to believe that "God is the creator of the universe and that we are not the result of chance."

Funes urged the church and the scientific community to leave behind divisions caused by Galileo's persecution 400 years ago, saying the incident has "caused wounds."

In 1633 the astronomer was tried as a heretic and forced to recant his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun. Church teaching at the time placed Earth at the center of the universe.

"The church has somehow recognized its mistakes," he said. "Maybe it could have done it better, but now it's time to heal those wounds and this can be done through calm dialogue and collaboration."

Pope John Paul declared in 1992 that the ruling against Galileo was an error resulting from "tragic mutual incomprehension."

The Vatican Observatory has been at the forefront of efforts to bridge the gap between religion and science. Its scientist-clerics have generated top-notch research and its meteorite collection is considered one of the world's best.

The observatory, founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, is based in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside town in the hills outside Rome where the pope has a summer residence. It also conducts research at an observatory at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.

[Prof Maxwell]

There have been rumors within the UFO community for decades, that one of the Vatican's uber secretive sects, along with the US government, has been involved in a world-wide extraterrestrial cover-up. There's even been reports the Vatican has ancient documents hidden away, which clearly described biblical era meetings bewteen humans, and non terrestrial life.

This report comes as no surprise to me.

Fear the Illuminatti !

[AnthemZ]

Yeah! They love them so much, that's why they encourage them to break U.S. laws and run the risk of dying in the desert!

[Bugstomper]

Well I am glad I have permission. It was keeping me up at night.

[Meursault]

If Papa Ratzy says so, it's the bottom line.

[Bugstomper]

You know those ex hitler youth members, they are so forward thinking.

[Meursault]

yeah, and think of the possibilities for conspiracy theories: You could blend in Dr. Mengele's disappearance with UFO sightings in Argentina.

[Prof Maxwell]

And why would Catholic clergy have such an interest?

Consider the so-called "greys". they are the most commonly reported alien type.

They are child size, looking like frail little boys. They have no clothes on, and have big heads that look like an infant's hiney.

Hmmm? does any of this sound familiar?

[DemonGeminiX]

Vatican: We're expanding our acceptance of popular opinion on pop science in a last-ditch attempt to remain relevant in a world of people who're becoming increasingly disillusioned with our tactics of keeping them in line under our archaic "law".