Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-04
TO PASS ON EVOLUTION.
Important Decision Expected From
Rome Defining Attitude of Church.

The New York Herald today says: An
other important decision is expected soon
from Rome. 1t viii affect the scientific
teaching of evolution opposed to special
creation. In cesiaStical circles the opin-
ion is that the decision will be adverse 10
the theory OF evolution.
AS in the other recent controversies that
have agitated Catholic circles, the inspira-
ton anu propagation of tbs new cult in
Catholicism come from the progressive, un-
conventional west. In its teaching. the
most ardent advocates have been friends
and associates OF Archbishop Ireland
Notably prominent as a leader of this
school of thought is the Very Rev. DR..
John 4. Zamm, once professor of science
at Notre Dame University. but now the su-
perior in America of the teaching ami mis-
sionary order known as the Fathers Of the
Holy Cross, d numerous and popular one
in the west.
The Rev. DIR. Zamm is the author of sew
eral widely known volumes. notably those
entitled Catholic Science and Scientists
"Eible, Science and Faith and Dogma
and Evolution" Although he had long
been held i'll special repute a scientist,
wider attention was drawn to his views by
a series of lectures he delivered three years
ago al the sessions of the Catholic Sum
mer School at Piattsburg N Y In these
his advanced theories on the antiquity of
the world, the time God took to create II.
the extent OF the Noachin deIuge and the
compatibility of certain evolutionary pro-
cesses with Catholic faith and dogma Great
ed sharp and extended criticism. In the
pubicatio recognized as speaking for the
Jesults the appropriateness and ACCESSIBILITY
of such speculative theories part OF
Catholic teaching was strongly denied.
After the subject had been widely dis
cussed DR.. Zamm was called to Rome IL
was known that his theories had been
ferred to a commission of cardinals to be
investigated and passed upon, and it was
thought that he would be disciplined. But
he was received with honor, made a doctor
of philosophy and later the representative
of his order in Rome, as procurator gen
eral. He was then sent back to the United
States the superior of the order here.
Nothing was heard of the cardinals in
vestgations until the present report that
they will find against the evolution theory.
DR.. Zamm, speaking of his critics says:
Il have been put down a liberal and
in a way l may be called one. But when
ii comes to question of faith and dogma
l am as vigorous an ultramontaine as the
most radical of my critics. who seem to
think that because man is into erant OF
error he should be intoIerant of persons
and that man who is liberal with indi-
viduals on controverted questions must
necessarily be heterodox.
My views may not be looked upon with
favor by all in Rome. / do not expect so
much. and l really do not care for the an
prevail of every one. But L know that
every eminent man of science throughout
Europe Is in perfect sympathy with nv
views. l venture to say that the twen-
tieth century will not be very old before
nine out of every ten thinkers and students
will be eyolutionists. opposed to beliey-
ers In special creation.