‘Intelligent Design’ Foe Replaced at Observatory

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a new director of the Vatican Observatory, replacing the Rev. George Coyne, a vocal opponent of “intelligent design” theory who had held the post since 1978.

It was unclear whether the move reflected disapproval over Coyne’s opposition to the theory that the world is too complex to have been created by natural events alone. He has attacked the theory as a “religious movement” lacking scientific merit. He could not be reached for comment.

There was no mention of Coyne in a brief Vatican statement Saturday announcing the appointment of a new director, the Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes.