Humani generis

"Humani generis" is a papal encyclical that Pope Pius XII promulgated on 12 August 1950 "concerning some false opinions threatening to undermine the foundations of Catholic Doctrine". Theological opinions and doctrines known as "Nouvelle Théologie" or neo-modernism and their consequences on the Church were its primary subject. Evolution and its impact on theology, constitute only two out of 44 parts. Yet the position which Pius XII defined in 1950, delinking the creation of body and soul, has been fully confirmed by Pope John Paul II, who highlighted additional facts supporting the hypothesis of evolution half a century later. It is still accepted Church doctrine.

The Encyclical

The role of theology

"This deposit of faith our Divine Redeemer has given for authentic interpretation not to each of the faithful, not even to theologians, but only to the teaching authority of the Church" [ Pius XII, Encyclical "Humani Generis, some false opinions threatening to undermine the foundation of Catholic doctrine", Vatican City, 1950, 21]

In Humani Generis, Pope Pius held a corporate view of theology. Theologians, employed by the Church, are assistants, to teach the official teachings of the Church and not their own private thoughts. They are free to engage in all kinds of empirical research, which the Church will generously support, but in matters of morality and religion, they are subjected to the teaching office and authority of the Church, the Magisterium.

"The most noble office of theology is to show how a doctrine defined by the Church is contained in the sources of revelation, … in that sense in which it has been defined by the Church." [Pius XII, Enc. Humani Generis, 21]

Humani Generis is critical of some trends in modern theology but does not mention or attack individual opinions or even groups of dissenting theologians, possibly, because of the much larger, still looming power issue: who teaches authoritatively the Catholic faith, bishops as successor to the Apostles or theologians, who have constant access to relevant information and research tools.

The Pope later refers to a new axiom, "a new intellectual current, a new public mood within the Church, and, new behaviour patterns" of its members. He asked his bishops, to heal this “intellectual infection”, which should not be allowed to grow. [Pius XII, The Magisterium of the Bishops, May 31, 1954]

Obstacles to finding God

The Church teaches, that God can be known with certainty from the created world with human reason. [ Catechism of the Catholic Church, Vatican City, 36] Yet Pope Pius believes, that in the historical conditions in which he finds himself, man experiences many difficulties in coming to know God by the light of reason alone: This why Humani Generis begins with a recognition of several obstacles to seek and find God by the light of reason alone:

"Though human reason is, strictly speaking, truly capable by its own natural power and light of attaining to a true and certain knowledge of the one personal God, who watches over and controls the world by his providence, and of the natural law written in our hearts by the Creator; yet there are many obstacles which prevent reason from the effective and fruitful use of this inborn faculty. For the truths that concern the relations between God and man wholly transcend the visible order of things, and, if they are translated into human action and influence it, they call for self-surrender and abnegation. The human mind, in its turn, is hampered in the attaining of such truths, not only by the impact of the senses and the imagination, but also by disordered appetites which are the consequences of original sin. So it happens that men in such matters easily persuade themselves that what they would not like to be true is false or at least doubtful". [ Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 2.] This is why man stands in need of being truthfully enlightened by God's revelation.

Four Issues

Having thus established a main principle, the encyclical continues with a review of the philosophical currents of modern culture and their potential and dangers in light of divine revelation of faith in the distinct levels. It reviews recent theological, philosophical and scientific developments.

Theologie nouvelle

In describing erroneous development in the Catholic Church after World War Two, the encyclical does not mention names, nor does it accuse specific persons or organization. The theologie nouvelle in France and its followers in other countries increasingly viewed Catholic teaching as relative. It departed from traditional Thomism using relativistic historical anaylysis and employing new philosophical axioms, such as existentialism, or positivism. Theologie nouvelle scholars expressed Catholic dogma with concepts of modern philosophy, immanentism or idealism or existentialism or any other system. Some believed, that the mysteries of faith cannot be expressed by truly adequate concepts but only by approximate and ever changeable notions. [Pius XII, Enc. Humani Generis, 15 ] Pius has some sympathy for the need to update and modernize Church doctrine but within limits:

"Everyone is aware that the terminology employed in the schools and even that used by the Teaching Authority of the Church itself is capable of being perfected and polished; and we know also that the Church itself has not always used the same terms in the same way. It is also manifest that the Church cannot be bound to every system of philosophy that has existed for a short space of time. Nevertheless, the things that have been composed through common effort by Catholic teachers over the course of the centuries to bring about some understanding of dogma are certainly not based on any such weak foundation. These things are based on principles and notions deduced from a true knowledge of created things. In the process of deducing, this knowledge, like a star, gave enlightenment to the human mind through the Church. Hence it is not astonishing that some of these notions have not only been used by the Ecumenical Councils, but even sanctioned by them, so that it is wrong to depart from them." [ Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 15]

Pius pleads with the “rebels” not to tear down but to build up. He demands, not to neglect, or to reject, or devalue so many and such great resources which have been conceived, expressed and perfected over the centuries. A new philosophy like existentialism is a poor and unstable basis for the theology of the Church.

"Today, like a flower of the field in existence, tomorrow outdated and old-fashioned, shaken by the winds of time". [ Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 15]

Evolutionism

In 1950, the encyclical teaches, there is no sufficient basis for a comprehensive belief in evolution, because the facts are still missing. Catholic religion can take evolution theory into account at some time: "This certainly would be praiseworthy in the case of clearly proved facts; but caution must be used when there is rather question of hypotheses, having some sort of scientific foundation, in which the doctrine contained in Sacred Scripture or in Tradition is involved". [Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 35]

The encyclical took up a nuanced position with regard to evolution: The question of the origin of man's body from pre-existing and living matter is a legitimate matter of inquiry for natural science. Catholics are free to form their own opinions, but they should do so cautiously; they should not confuse fact with conjecture, and they should respect the Church's right to define matters touching on Revelation. [ Pius XII, Enc. Humani Generis, 36] For these reasons the Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God. [ Pius XII, Enc. Humani Generis, 36]

However, this must be done in such a way that the reasons for both opinions, that is, those favorable and those unfavorable to evolution, be weighed and judged with the necessary seriousness, moderation and measure, and provided that all are prepared to submit to the judgment of the Church, to whom Christ has given the mission of interpreting authentically the Sacred Scriptures and of defending the dogmas of faith. [11] Some however, rashly transgress this liberty of discussion, when they act as if the origin of the human body from pre-existing and living matter were already completely certain and proved by the facts which have been discovered up to now and by reasoning on those facts, and as if there were nothing in the sources of divine revelation which demands the greatest moderation and caution in this question." [ Pius XII, Enc. Humani Generis, 36] Thus, Catholics must believe, that the human soul was created immediately by God. Since the soul is a spiritual substance it is not brought into being through transformation of matter, but directly by God, whence the special uniqueness of each person.." [ Pius XII, Enc. Humani Generis, 36]

Polygenism

While the factual basis for creationism should be researched further, the encyclical issues a clear no to another scientific opinion popular at the time, polygenism," the scientific hypothesis that mankind descended from a group of original humans (that there were many Adams and Eves. "When, however, there is question of another conjectural opinion, namely polygenism, the children of the Church by no means enjoy such liberty. For the faithful cannot embrace that opinion which maintains that either after Adam there existed on this earth true men who did not take their origin through natural generation from him as from the first parent of all, or that Adam represents a certain number of first parents. Now it is no way apparent how such an opinion can be reconciled with that which the sources of revealed truth and the documents of the Teaching Authority of the Church." [ Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 37]

Old Testament critiques

A final critique is issued against negative interpretations which downgrade the Old Testament to historical half-truths. Some Catholic theologians

"place these scriptures on a par with myths or other such things, which are more the product of an extravagant imagination than of that striving for truth. The Book of Genesis both state the principal truths which are fundamental for our salvation, and also give a popular description of the origin of the human race and the chosen people." [ Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 38]

Humani Generis encourages further research, taking into account and respecting the holiness of the Old Testament scriptures to Jews and Christians alike.

Conclusion

Pope Pius XII, who usually employs diplomatic and carefully measured language in his writings, is convinced of the serious nature of these... opinions threatening to undermine the foundation of Catholic doctrine, a most unusual tone for this pontiff.

Philosophy and theology are the main topics of this encyclical. But it extends further into the realm of culture and science. The encyclical is a document with firm distinctions between right and wrong, good and bad. Pius XII is convinced about the indivisibility and timeless nature of truth The encyclical is flexible in all areas of scientific research, which do not intrude into, or exclude theology. It demands respect for the intellectual achievements of past generations, which were equally intelligent, but is not afraid to face a future with new questions and improvements. Humani Generis generated much discussion at its time. It reflects many conservative positions of the Pope, but also his openness to science and new developments. It reflects his belief: "It is the primary duty of a Christian, to convince those who consider themselves modern, that human nature should not be interpreted with systematic pessimism nor with shallow optimism." "Let them strive with every force and effort to further the progress of the sciences which they teach; but let them also be careful not to transgress the limits which We have established for the protection of the truth of Catholic faith and doctrine. With regard to new questions, which modern culture and progress have brought to the foreground, let them engage in most careful research, but with the necessary prudence and caution; finally, let them not think, indulging in a false "irenism," that the dissident and the erring can happily be brought back to the bosom of the Church, if the whole truth found in the Church is not sincerely taught to all without corruption or diminution". [ Pius XII, Enc.Humani Generis, 44]

Notes

ee also

* Theology
* Catholic Church
* Magisterium
* Polygenism
* Relativism
* Positivism
* Historicism
* Evolution
*Evolution and the Roman Catholic Church

External links

* [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html "Humani Generis"] (hosted by the Holy See)
* [http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/P12HUMAN.HTM "Humani Generis"] (hosted by EWTN)