The Galileo Affair

In popular mythology, the Catholic Church is viewed as being anti-science. The ready reference is the Church’s treatment of Galileo.  A bumper sticker response for the Catholic is “If the Church was as anti-science as you claim, please name some persecuted scientists other than Galileo?”  It is highly unlikely they will be able to do so.  In the unlikely event that they do, reply that you’d not heard of that case, ask if they can supply a reference; then say you will research it and get back to them.

Given the prevalence of misinformation regarding the “Galileo affair” it is beneficial to have some understanding of the circumstances, with a bit more depth than this bumper sticker response.

For perspective, we begin with the Polish(!) astronomer Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) a respected astronomer who speculated - contrary to the prevalent understanding – that the Sun and not the earth was the center of the universe.  By 1514 Copernicus had written out his heliocentric notions, sharing the manuscript only with close friends.  Continuing to think through these matters, by 1532 Copernicus had the makings of a book on astronomy – including his heliocentric theory.  However, he was hesitant to publish it for fear of ridicule by his contemporaries in astronomy, as much as for his concern for its apparent conflict with Scripture.

Nonetheless, in 1533, Pope Clement VII was impressed by a presentation of Copernicus’ theory.  And then in 1536, Cardinal Nikolaus von Schönberg wrote to Copernicus:

[I understand] you had also formulated a new cosmology. In it you maintain that the earth moves; that the sun occupies the lowest, and thus the central, place in the universe... I entreat you, most learned sir… to communicate this discovery of yours to scholars…