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Article: Vatican astronomer's backing of evolution no factor in his exit.(Vatican Observatory)
- Article from:
- The Christian Century
- Article date:
- October 3, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Christian Century Foundation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The former director of the Vatican Observatory has rejected speculation that he was replaced because of his vocal opposition to "intelligent design," adding that Pope Benedict XVI "enthusiastically supported" his work.
Breaking a three-week silence, the Jesuit priest and astronomer George Coyne said he volunteered to step down, citing a need for fresh leadership at the observatory following his nearly 28-year tenure.
Coyne made his comments in an email to Religion News Service on September 9 after returning from a summer holiday. That vacation overlapped with the Vatican's announcement on August 19 that Jose Funes, also a Jesuit priest, was appointed to ...