Fr. TEILHARD: A WARNING

r HE Holy Office has issued a formal warning against L "ambiguities and even grave errors" in the writings of le late Fr. Teilhard de Chardin. S.J., the internationallyimed palaeontologist, whose controversial theories on iolution have excited the imagination of Catholics and 'believers alike.
A warning ("Monitum") issued by the Holy Office, while calling attention to serious dangers in a published work, does not condemn the work outright. nor does it forbid the faithful to read it.
As published in the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano, the warning was accompanied by an article declaring that Fr. Teilhard himself led " an intense spiritual life ''. It also recognised his sincerity and his contribution to scientiflc research.
But the article criticised Fr. Teilhard's attempt to apply the terms and concepts of evolutionary theory to the fields of metaphysics and theology.
DANGERS
The Holy Office warning reads as follows:
"A number of works of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin have been published, even posthumously, which have achieved not a little success.
" Without making any judgment about those matters pertaining to positive science, it is clear enough that the above-mentioned works present ambiguities and even grave errors in philosophical and theological matters which offend Catholic doctrine.
" For this reason the most eminent and most reverend Fathers of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office exhort all Ordinaries and the superiors of religious institutes, rectors of seminaries and presidents of universities to guard souls, above all the young people, from the dangers inherent in the works of Father Teilhard de Chardin and of his followers."
The Osservatore article accompanying the text of the warning declares: " We can join those who recognise the honest intention of the man and the contribution he has made to scientific research, particularly in the field of palaeontology.
" I lowever. one cannot avoid Contd. on page S. col. 6