- EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS exist and there is no conflict between a belief
in aliens and the Christian faith, a Vatican theologian close to the Pope
says.
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- Father Corrado Balducci, of the Congregation
for the Evangelisation of Peoples, claims in a book about alien abductions
to be published next week, that it is wrong to assert that reports of encounters
with aliens are not credible.
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- "It is reasonable to believe and
affirm that extra-terrestrials exist," he says. "Their existence
can no longer be denied, for there is too much evidence for the existence
of extra-terrestrials and flying saucers."
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- Father Balducci says that clues such
as the existence of flying saucers indicate that extra-terrestrials are
further evolved than humans. In an interview to be published as the appendix
to Confirmation, Father Balducci says that even if extra-terrestrials were
discovered who were superior to humans, it would not call into question
the teachings of Christianity.
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- He refers to a passage in the New Testament
where St Paul refers to Christ as the king of the universe, not just the
king of the world. "This means that everything in the universe, including
extra-terrestrials and UFOs are reconcilable with God."
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- Father Balducci, a renowned exorcist
and expert on demonology, has written two books on the Devil. Listed in
the Vatican directory as "priest of honour" since 1964, he is
an official member of the papal household or family.
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- Father Balducci says his first question
to an alien would be what their concept of God was. But he goes on to say:
"It is very important to lend credence to the eye-witness accounts,
but we must be very careful to ensure that they are authentic. I have also
heard of people who have claimed to have had contacts, but who unfortunately
were not mentally sound."
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- A spokesman for the Catholic Media Office
in London said last night: "The fundamental creation message relates
to humans here on earth. If aliens were shown to exist, this would not
cast doubt on the veracity of the Gospel. But we would have to ask whether
the Christian atonement was applicable to them."
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