On second thought: A noted Catholic leader rethinks ID.
> (Photo: Steven van WelFlickr)

Three months after saying in an op-ed that the Darwinian theory of evolution was incompatible with the Catholic faith, Vienna Archbishop Christoph Schönborn tempered his published comments by saying he saw “no problem combining belief in the Creator with the theory of evolution, under one condition: that the limits of a scientific theory are respected.”

In a lecture he delivered at the St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna on Oct. 2, Schönborn redefined the views expressed in his July 7 op-ed in The New York Times, which appeared to promote intelligent design by claiming that a “designer” created the complex form of living things.

In his lecture, he described Darwin’s theory as one of the “very great works of intellectual history.”

Schönborn’s controversial op-ed sparked a firestorm among Catholics who viewed previous papal remarks as compatible with evolution. Although the cardinal did not use the exact words “intelligent design,” the incident prompted American scientists to urge Pope Benedict XVI to reaffirm church support for evolution.

Schönborn’s comments came during a particularly volatile time in the United States, when a high-profile court case was in the midst of deciding whether school districts could require the teaching of intelligent design.

Referring to his op-ed, Schönborn said that perhaps he didn’t express his thoughts clearly enough. “Such misunderstandings can be cleared up,” he said.