Galileo Galilei and the Roman Curia: From Authentic SourcesGebler, Karl von
Religion
Galileo Galilei and the Roman Curia: From Authentic Sources
Gebler, Karl von
Astronomers -- Italy -- Biography; Catholic Church. Curia romana; Galilei, Galileo, 1564-1642; Religion and science -- History
This Holy Tribunal being therefore desirous of proceeding
against the disorder and mischief thence resulting, which went
on increasing to the prejudice of the Holy Faith, by command of
his Holiness and of the most eminent Lords Cardinals of this
supreme and universal Inquisition, the two propositions of the
stability of the sun and the motion of the earth were by the
theological “Qualifiers” qualified as follows:
The proposition that the sun is the centre of the world
and does not move from its place is absurd and false
philosophically and formally heretical, because it is expressly
contrary to the Holy Scripture.
The proposition that the earth is not the centre of the world
and immovable, but that it moves, and also with a diurnal
motion, is equally absurd and false philosophically, and
theologically considered, at least erroneous in faith.
But whereas it was desired at that time to deal leniently with
you, it was decreed at the Holy Congregation held before his
Holiness on the 25th February, 1616, that his Eminence the Lord
Cardinal Bellarmine should order you to abandon altogether the
said false doctrine, and, in the event of your refusal, that an
injunction should be imposed upon you by the Commissary of the
Holy Office, to give up the said doctrine, and not to teach it
to others, nor to defend it, nor even discuss it; and failing
your acquiescence in this injunction, that you should be
imprisoned. And in execution of this decree, on the following
day, at the Palace, and in the presence of his Eminence, the
said Lord Cardinal Bellarmine, after being gently admonished
by the said Lord Cardinal, the command was intimated to you by
the Father Commissary of the Holy Office for the time before a
notary and witnesses, that you were altogether to abandon the
said false opinion, and not in future to defend or teach it in
any way whatsoever, neither verbally nor in writing; and upon
your promising to obey you were dismissed.
And in order that a doctrine so pernicious might be wholly
rooted out and not insinuate itself further to the grave
prejudice of Catholic truth, a decree was issued by the Holy
Congregation of the Index, prohibiting the books which treat of
this doctrine, and declaring the doctrine itself to be false
and wholly contrary to sacred and divine Scripture.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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