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by nycScribbler, 6 January 2009
Italian astronomer, mathematician, and physicist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), was a man of science – was condemned as a heretic by the church during the Inquisition, even though he was a devout Catholic. Galilei invented the first astronomical telescope and used it to gather evidence that the earth revolved around the sun. At the time the Church doctrine was that the Earth was situated at the center of the universe, and to suggest otherwise was tantamount to discrediting the very authority of the Church itself.
The church denounced Galileo's theory as dangerous to Faith, but Galileo disregarded its warnings. For his discovery he was tried as a heretic in 1633 and forced to renounce his findings, he was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was later downgraded to house arrest.
Nearly five hundred years later, the Vatican has apparently had a change of heart. After all these years they are now calling him a Man-of-Faith just in time for the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescope and the U.N.-designated International Year of Astronomy next year.
Pope Benedict XVI recently paid tribute to Galileo saying that he and other scientists had helped the faithful better understand and "contemplate with gratitude the Lord's works."
In May, several Vatican officials will partake in an international conference to re-examine the Galileo case. Top Vatican officials are in agreement that Galileo should be named the patron of the "dialogue" between faith and reason.
For years now the Church has been trying to soften their image and shed its reputation for being antagonistic and in opposition to science. The Galileo anniversary may be the opportunity they need to succeed in changing their image. Vatican officials are stressing that faith and science are not mutually exclusive.
But it seems that the Vatican's acceptance has its limits. There were plans earlier this year to honor Galileo and mark the anniversary of his telescope by installing a permanent statue in the Vatican. The plans were halted after some Vatican officials voiced "problems" with the initiative.
According to Italian news sources, reports suggest that the Vatican simply doesn't want to draw too much attention to the Galileo episode, which after 400 years still causes controversy.
I think it's about time the Church makes amends and gives credit where credit is due. Though they seem to be trying to modernize the Catholic religion to recognize that science does play a role in religion, perhaps they could do a better job.
Regardless of what the Church believes, I for one am thankful that here in the U.S., they teach us about Galileo's discoveries as part of our early education. Galileo was one of the fathers of modern science and an education without mention of him would be lacking to say the least.
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