A common question within Catholic (or more broadly, Christian) circles, is whether the first three chapters of Genesis must be interpreted literally.
The Pontifical Biblical Commission published a document on June 30, 1909 (during the pontificate of St. Pius X) titled “Concerning the historical nature of the first three chapters of Genesis“.
You can read it here, though you will need to make use of Google Translate: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19090630_genesi_lt.html
Some highlights from the document, which is structured as statements which are either approved or negated:
- It is permissible to interpret certain things within Genesis, and the narrative of creation, in an allegorical sense. (VI)
- A literal interpretation must be understood for foundational aspects of the Christian religion, such as the creation of all things at the beginning of time, the creation of man, the creation of woman from man, the unity of the human race, etc. (III)
- The word “day” as used in the 6 days of creation may be understood as either a day as we understand it now, that is a period of time equal to 24 hours, or more generally as some certain period of time. (VII)
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