Space aliens in U.S. and U.K. news, Vatican approves

William Atkins
Wednesday, 14 May 2008 18:20

Science - Space

The Vatican

In a similar story, Jose Gabriel Funes—the Vatican’s chief astronomer, director of the Vatican Observatory, and science advisor to the Pope—stated that space aliens could exist.

Funes made his comments in the Vatican newspaper (L'Osservatore Romano) article “The Extraterresrial is My Brother,” which was published on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

Talking about the largeness of the universe and how life on other planets could exist, Funes stated, “In my opinion this possibility exists. Astronomers believe the universe is made up of 100 billion galaxies, each of which consists of 100 billion stars. ... Life forms could exist in theory even without oxygen or hydrogen."

Funes says that believing in alien life forms does not contradict the Catholic faith in God.

He added, "How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere. 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."

Funes also stated that science does not contradict religion and the Big Bang is a reasonable explanation to the creation of the Universe.

Funes and members of the Vatican Observatory have consistently held views that science and religion do not conflict and that they should be viewed as compatible.

Read the entire story at Fox News “Vatican: It’s Ok For Catholics to Believe in Aliens.”