Catholic Church opens the possibility of alien existence

Aliens might shock some people. But the Catholic Church would welcome them as brothers. Words said by the Vatican’s chief astronomer and papal science adviser Joseph Gabriel Funes explained in an article on the Vatican newspaper: L’Osservatore Romano. He supports the idea that the search for extraterrestrial life doesn’t contradict belief in god.
Since God created the universe, according to theologians, he would have created everything in it, including aliens too. And far from being weakened by contact, Christianity would adapt if the situation was to come. Its doctrines would be interpreted anew, the aliens greeted with open arms.
Everything about the sacred writings and beliefs would still be true, but if there are other races and intelligences, then what is the meaning of this visit to our race at that time?” asked Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno. “Just as Jesus is human like you and I, you would find an alien-specific Jesus,” said Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary professor Ted Peters.
Just as there are multiple forms of life on earth, so there could exist intelligent beings in outer space created by God. And some aliens could even be free from original sin, Father Funes says.
“If there are aliens, the Bible specifically does not say that they were created in his image,” said Mark Conn, pastor of the Noble Hill Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. “God created many other intelligent beings on this planet, and they were not created in His image.”
Conn suggested that missionary work may be required, something the aliens may not welcome; especially if, as many postulate, they are technologically superior to humanity and do not have religions of their own.
“Maybe they’ll say that they used to need religion but have outgrown it. Some people say that would be a great blow to religion, because if an advanced civilization doesn’t need it, why do we?” said Douglas Vakoch, director of interstellar message composition at SETI.