A Defense of Galileo

...they set aside, once the long-buried truth shines forth; however, our ancestors did not sin in this way, since the "new earth" Referring to the discovery of the Americas and the realization of the Earth's true geography., the celestial systems, and new phenomena had not yet been disclosed, nor had the harmony of the Scriptures with this kind of philosophy been established.

7. Finally, since theologians, from the time of Casella Pietro Catena or perhaps a reference to the Dominican circle of the time. and Francesco Maria of Ferrara Francesco Silvestri (c. 1474–1528), a prominent Dominican theologian known as Ferrariensis. until our own day, have not only not condemned this astronomy but have even decreed it should be printed, and since they are not inferior to more recent theologians, it appears that the attackers of Galileo have risen up not out of zeal for the doctrine of Christ, but either out of envy or ignorance.

8. Likewise, the heaven of the stars is called the Firmament original: Firmamentum in Holy Scripture because it stands still. Therefore, the earth moves. Therefore, the sun is also the center. For in this way all the phenomena and mathematical principles are preserved, as Copernicus proves, and his most faithful followers—indeed, even the followers of Ptolemy The ancient Greek astronomer whose Earth-centered model was being challenged.—confess the same.

9. Likewise, the "little clouds" in the sun Referring to sunspots, the discovery of which proved the sun was not a perfect, unchanging body., and new stars in the starry heaven, and comets above the moon, clearly indicate that the stars are systems.

10. Likewise, we shall prove below, from the most holy doctors of the Church, that the text of Moses Specifically the Book of Genesis and its account of creation. cannot be correctly enough explained unless the stars are systems.

11. Likewise, Saint Justin, in Questions to the Orthodox, teaches that there is a controversy between Christians and gentiles regarding the shape of the heaven; the latter asserting it is spherical and mobile, the former asserting it is like a chamber and immobile. And other doctors call the heaven the Firmament for the very reason that it is immobile.

CHAPTER III.

Having proposed arguments on both sides for the ancient and modern theologians, both those defending and those attacking Galileo, I shall respond—but only after first laying down here solid and most approved foundations or hypotheses, drawn from the doctrine of the saints, the decrees of nature, and the consensus of nations.

Whoever wishes to be judges of a question, even one pertaining in part to religion, ought to have a zeal for God and knowledge, as Saint Bernard teaches in his Apology, following the words of the Apostle in Romans 10.