It's Been A Long Time Since GalileoFollow

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 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.

It's interesting that the Vatican has a chief astronomer.

Still no sex for fun, though.

"Vy hello leetl boy. Vud joo like to look up my telescope?"

.... but was confused that you'd be rock @#%^ing stupid enough to think that the per capita child abuse in the Catholic Church is somehow higher than that of Schooteachers or Prodestand Pastors, or Mail Carriers, vatican astronomers etc. Because ten or fifteen seconds of research would help you realize that given the number of children who come into contact with Church clergy and the number of years involved, your kid is as safe there as they are anywhere else.

Poor Jophs dead sperm's souls cry a tear in heaven every time you think this :(

Sometimes, in the talk of Creationism and anti-evolution screeds, it's funny to think that my hoary old church is one of the more sane ones.

[b]
Still no sex for fun, though.

the Catholics are a fairly educated and accepting bunch.

Perhaps its the fact that I live in the US and am surronded by fundies, Catholics compared to guys like Phelps and Robertson Catholics seem a lot more sane.

Personally I'm atheist.