The Galileo Affair

One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church Viewed as an intransigent morass that monolithically was against all science and knowledge Viewed as an intransigent morass that monolithically was against all science and knowledge Galileo Galilei Seen as hapless victim of the Roman Catholic Inquisition

Rome:1 Galileo: 0

However… The actual history of the Galileo Affair is much more nuanced and intriguing. The actual history of the Galileo Affair is much more nuanced and intriguing. It was an intersection of religion, science, politics, personality; which resulted in one of the more historically embarrassing moments for the Church. It was an intersection of religion, science, politics, personality; which resulted in one of the more historically embarrassing moments for the Church.

For 3 years ( ) Galileo is a professor of mathematics at the University of Pisa For 3 years ( ) Galileo is a professor of mathematics at the University of Pisa

In 1604, now a professor in Padua, Italy, Galileo observes a supernova In 1604, now a professor in Padua, Italy, Galileo observes a supernova He then formulates lectures stating that the star is beyond the moon, and thus there are changes in the heavens. He then formulates lectures stating that the star is beyond the moon, and thus there are changes in the heavens.

In 1609/10 Galileo hears about a new invention- the telescope. In 1609/10 Galileo hears about a new invention- the telescope. He creates one of his own, and begins observing the solar system. He creates one of his own, and begins observing the solar system.

He is able to see the moons of Jupiter orbiting the planet He is able to see the moons of Jupiter orbiting the planet He observes that Venus goes through phases like the moon. This went against the prevailing thought of the time He observes that Venus goes through phases like the moon. This went against the prevailing thought of the time

Now the “Fun” Begins The prevailing thought at the time was that the earth was the center of the universe and it did not move. The prevailing thought at the time was that the earth was the center of the universe and it did not move. Belief based on ancient Greeks Ptolemy and Aristotle Belief based on ancient Greeks Ptolemy and Aristotle The interpretation of Scripture and Tradition within Christianity The interpretation of Scripture and Tradition within Christianity

Copernicus The minority opinion at the time was that the sun was the center, and that it, not the earth, was immobile. The minority opinion at the time was that the sun was the center, and that it, not the earth, was immobile. This theory is credited to Copernicus, and was supported by Galileo. This theory is credited to Copernicus, and was supported by Galileo. …and it ended up being correct!! …and it ended up being correct!!

The Catholic Church Agrees With Galileo…sort of In 1611, at the request of Cardinal Bellarmine, the Collegio Romano certified Galileo’s discoveries…but NOT his interpretations. In 1611, at the request of Cardinal Bellarmine, the Collegio Romano certified Galileo’s discoveries…but NOT his interpretations.

Later in 1611 At a dinner party, Galileo engages in a debate…and he is supported by Cardinal Barbarini Cardinal Barbarini later becomes Pope Urban VIII

Other Catholics Also Somewhat support Galileo Carmelite Friar Paolo Antonio Foscarini published Letter on the Pythagorean and Copernican Opinion of the Earth's Motion and Sun's Rest Carmelite Friar Paolo Antonio Foscarini published Letter on the Pythagorean and Copernican Opinion of the Earth's Motion and Sun's Rest In this book, Foscarini argues that the Copernican theory is compatible with Scripture. In this book, Foscarini argues that the Copernican theory is compatible with Scripture.

Still Others…not so much Not everyone in the Catholic Church is happy with Galileo. Not everyone in the Catholic Church is happy with Galileo. Dominican friar Tommaso Caccini went to Florence in December 1614 to preach against the “heretical” Copernican world view…he was later forced to apologize Dominican friar Tommaso Caccini went to Florence in December 1614 to preach against the “heretical” Copernican world view…he was later forced to apologize Another Dominican, Niccolo Lorini filed a complaint with the Inquisition against Galileo…the Inquisition did nothing at that time. Another Dominican, Niccolo Lorini filed a complaint with the Inquisition against Galileo…the Inquisition did nothing at that time.

In 1625 a complaint against Galileo's publication The Assayer is lodged at the Inquisition. In 1625 a complaint against Galileo's publication The Assayer is lodged at the Inquisition. The complaint charges that the theory embraced in the book cannot be reconciled with the official church doctrine regarding the Eucharist. The complaint charges that the theory embraced in the book cannot be reconciled with the official church doctrine regarding the Eucharist. After an investigation by the Inquisition, Galileo is cleared. After an investigation by the Inquisition, Galileo is cleared.

In 1623, Cardinal Barbarini, a friend and patron of Galileo, is elected Pope. In 1623, Cardinal Barbarini, a friend and patron of Galileo, is elected Pope. Pope Urban VIII bestowed a pension on both Galileo and his son. Pope Urban VIII bestowed a pension on both Galileo and his son.

Permission Granted Galileo has several audiences with Pope Urban VIII, where the Pope tells him he can write about the Copernican theory, as long as he treats it as a mathematical hypothesis, not as fact. Galileo has several audiences with Pope Urban VIII, where the Pope tells him he can write about the Copernican theory, as long as he treats it as a mathematical hypothesis, not as fact.

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems In April 1630 Galileo finished his book, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. In April 1630 Galileo finished his book, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. By June 1630 he had conditional permission to print his book from the Vatican By June 1630 he had conditional permission to print his book from the Vatican

Permission Denied In February 1632 Galileo had the book printed. In February 1632 Galileo had the book printed. By that summer Pope Urban VIII has banned it. By that summer Pope Urban VIII has banned it. By that fall the Inquisition, headed by the Pope himself, summoned Galileo. By that fall the Inquisition, headed by the Pope himself, summoned Galileo.

How Did it Get to That Point? Over the years, Galileo had made a lot of enemies. Over the years, Galileo had made a lot of enemies. Unfortunately, he did not help himself with his supporters either…apparently he wasn’t the most pleasant person. Unfortunately, he did not help himself with his supporters either…apparently he wasn’t the most pleasant person. It also didn’t help implying the Pope (who was his benefactor) was an idiot in his book. It also didn’t help implying the Pope (who was his benefactor) was an idiot in his book.

So What Became of Galileo? No, he was not tortured or killed No, he was not tortured or killed He was found guilty of violating an order…which he probably never knew about. He was found guilty of violating an order…which he probably never knew about. The Church stops just short of outright calling him a heretic, rather he is judged to be “vehemently suspected of heresy”. The Church stops just short of outright calling him a heretic, rather he is judged to be “vehemently suspected of heresy”. A compromise is reached where he agrees to recant, and the Church sends him home for the remainder of his life. A compromise is reached where he agrees to recant, and the Church sends him home for the remainder of his life.

What Became of the Catholic Church? While many in the Catholic Church considered Galileo’s works heretical, that was never an official position. While many in the Catholic Church considered Galileo’s works heretical, that was never an official position. In 1741, Pope Benedict XIV granted an imprimatur “seal of approval” to the complete works of Galileo In 1741, Pope Benedict XIV granted an imprimatur “seal of approval” to the complete works of Galileo