Copernicus Persecuted?

[chosen_people]

Can you cite a reliable source for this. I doubt it because, as has been discussed earlier, Copernicus never disclosed his motives. It is quite probable that he delayed this not to avoid a heresy charge (which never happened as the Church actually published his works.) but to avoid public ridicule.

Apparently, you have not read this thread. Your gross over-simplification is clearly not motivated by a desire to learn the truth. Or even repeat it.

If you really are interested in the truth, read the thread. If you are not, you had better start supporting your already discredited assertions.

Indeed the posthumous publication of Copernicus’s work is a matter of speculation. What we do not have to speculate about is that his views and his book, written only in Latin and therefore limited in access to the general public, were eventually declared by the Church to be anti-scriptural, heretical and prohibited. We do not need to speculate about Galileo. His work was published in Italian and therefore was generally accessible. His views and book were found to be anti-scriptural, heretical and prohibited by the Inquisition. We do not have to speculate the Galileo was at least formally under house arrest for the last four years of his life. These are facts which are not in dispute and may be found in any source, even including ultimate Catholic apologist sources like the Catholic encyclopedia.

 

[chaunceygardner]

Indeed the posthumous publication of Copernicus’s work is a matter of speculation. What we do not have to speculate about is that his views and his book, written only in Latin and therefore limited in access to the general public, were eventually declared by the Church to be anti-scriptural, heretical and prohibited. We do not need to speculate about Galileo. His work was published in Italian and therefore was generally accessible. His views and book were found to be anti-scriptural, heretical and prohibited by the Inquisition. We do not have to speculate the Galileo was at least formally under house arrest for the last four years of his life. These are facts which are not in dispute and may be found in any source, even including ultimate Catholic apologist sources like the Catholic encyclopedia.

Not to split hairs, but the question is “Was Copernicus Persecuted?” His ideas were “eventually” attacked later, but Copernicus as an individual was not, during his lifetime. And Galileo, although found “guilty”, was eventually vindicated, and the ideas of both men were huge steps in increasing our knowledge of the universe.

 

[chosen_people]

Not to split hairs, but the question is “Was Copernicus Persecuted?” His ideas were “eventually” attacked later, but Copernicus as an individual was not, during his lifetime. And Galileo, although found “guilty”, was eventually vindicated, and the ideas of both men were huge steps in increasing our knowledge of the universe.

If a person lives in a time when he feels he cannot express scientific ideas that he believes in lest he be subject to an Inquisition, then, “not to split hairs”, he may be deemed to be persecuted and the development and advancement of scientific thought to be impaired.

 

[chaunceygardner]

If a person lives in a time when he feels he cannot express scientific ideas that he believes in lest he be subject to an Inquisition, then, “not to split hairs”, he may be deemed to be persecuted and the development and advancement of scientific thought to be impaired.

Agreed, but the original post was whether Copernicus suffered persecution directly? The answer is still no.

But I agree with your point, and have stated in prior posts, that hindering of scientific thought and advancement by those who felt their religious doctrines threatened did occur. And that threat certainly has slowed the publicizing of certain theories and findings. But the beauty of it all is that, thanks to another technological advance–the printing press–the ideas of Galileo and others were publicly disseminated and the Church was generally powerless to stop it.

Much of what some people post on these threads would have gotten them in very hot water with the Church at certain times, even into the 20th Century. The rules and injuctions may still be there, but the Church is much more limited in its ability to enforce them.

 

[grannymh]

No Problem. Take your time, and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Chauncey

Thank you. I once worked for an old Irish Jesuit who wanted to revive the ancient custom of celebrating Saint’s Feast Days with an Octave. He would come down to our part of the building and say something like --It’s my birthday! So we will celebrate for eight days!!! The cake never lasted.

I reread the posts and learned. I have one quick thought about the Church maintaining its teachings through time. There are four visible marks or characteristics which identify the Catholic Church as the one uniquely founded by Jesus Himself. They are: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. (start with CCC "811…)

When there is evil among Church members, one does ask about the Church being holy. The Catholic Church is seen as holy because it witnesses with fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus, Whose Holy Presence continues within the Church through the seven Sacraments. Jesus calls everyone to a holy life. John 3:16-17 Nonetheless, all retain their free will to accept or reject the teachings of Jesus.

None of us are sin free. We acknowledge our sinfulness and set out on the path of conversion, reconciliation, penance, and renewal. United with Jesus, Who is perfectly holy, we, too, are holy even though our limited holiness is imperfect.

Blessings,
granny

Matthew 28: 16-20

www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm