ABSTRACT
Evolution is an essential subject which deeply interests the Church, since revelation, for its part, contains teaching concerning the nature and origins of humanity. Taking into account the state of scientific research at the time as well as of the requirements of theology, the Encyclical Humani Generis considered the doctrine of “evolutionism” a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis. The Church’s Magisterium is directly concerned with the question of evolution, for it involves the conception of humanity: Revelation teaches us that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God. Consequently, theories of evolution which, in accordance with the philosophies inspiring them, consider the mind as emerging from the forces of living matter, or as a mere epiphenomenon of this matter, are incompatible with the truth about humanity.
