Creation Conference Addresses Complex Questions

By Irene Lagan
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/24/02)

ARLINGTON — Theories of creation and evolution are topics that continue to be hotly debated among educators, scientists, theologians, philosophers and even politicians. For Hugh Owen and others affiliated with the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation, Darwin’s theory of evolution has moral and cultural implications and cannot be supported by traditional Catholic interpretation of Scripture or Catholic doctrine.

Owen, director of the Kolbe Center, is the son of a former Secretary General of International Planned Parenthood. According to Owen, Darwin’s theory of evolution was directly related to his father’s loss of faith and subsequent adoption of a population control ideology. Consequently, Owen founded the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation to expose the weaknesses of Darwin’s theory and to educate Catholics on the biblical account of creation according to the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and as supported by findings in modern science. In addition to its mission to educate, the Kolbe Center provides a forum for philosophers, scientists, theologians and others to exchange ideas, research and information on various models of creation theory.

Last weekend, the Kolbe Center hosted the Second International Catholic Conference on Creation at St. Agnes Parish in Arlington. Scientists, theologians and philosophers from across the globe presented evidence exposing the weaknesses of Darwinian theory and arguments in support of what Owen called a "special theory of creation."

Topics ranged from an exposition of the Catholic doctrine of creation by physicist and theologian Father Victor Warkulwiz to a presentation of the scientific evidence against "Big Bang" cosmology by nuclear physicist Dr. Joseph Strada. Also included were presentations on the interpretation of Genesis 1-11 according to the Fathers of the Church, scientific evidence in support of a "young" earth, philosophical analysis of Darwinian evolutionary theory, the search for Noah’s ark and other aspects of the creation debate.

The special theory of creation, as articulated by Owen, postulates the creation of all creatures by God’s fiat in six natural days. Natural days, said Owen, do not necessarily mean 24-hour days since the Genesis account of creation does not mention light until the fourth day. In contrast, Darwin’s theory is a macro-evolutionary model of creation which holds that all life forms descended from primitive life forms or non-living matter over the course of billions of years. Those who hold to a special creation model claim that the Darwinian model is a ‘molecules-to-man’ myth that is not supported by scientific evidence or by philosophical principles.

Professor Josef Seifert, rector of the International Academy of Philosophy at Lichtenstein, discussed the philosophical basis for his conviction that evolutionary theory, particularly in its most radical form which posits the transformation of non-living things into living things, is based an instance of "unfounded or insufficiently founded opinion." After distinguishing scientific from philosophical knowledge, Seifert gave a philosophical analysis of the various senses of evolution and evolutionary theory, and explored some of the negative consequences of philosophical error for theology and morality.

Other speakers included Dr. Kelly Hollowell, president of Science Ministries; physicist Dr. Robert Gentry, formerly of Bell Labs; theologian Father Brian Harrison, editor of Living Tradition; Dr. Robin Bernhoft, a surgeon; Gerard Keane, author of Creation Rediscovered; and Robert Sungenis, president of Catholic Apologetics International.

According to Owen, many who attended the conference were able to come to a better understanding of how the Church has interpreted Genesis 1-11 throughout history and how, according to the Magisterium of the Church, Catholics ought to interpret Scripture. Some conference attendees also reported that the conference helped them gain a better understanding of the fact that natural science evidence for evolution and other non-historical interpretations of Genesis 1-11 are weak.

For more information about the Kolbe Center, visit the Web site at www.kolbecenter.org.  

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