Embraced by God...

Background: An Italian mathematician, astronomer and physicist, Galileo repeatedly angered Church officials with his vigorous defense of Copernicus’ heliocentric theory of the universe (i.e., the planets orbit around the sun, not the earth, as the Church thought the Scriptures taught). Galileo’s dangerous ideas were silenced by the Inquisition, and Galileo twice avoided physical torture by quickly rethinking his scientific theories.

1615 – Galileo was interrogated before the Inquisition in Rome. After renouncing his views, he was allowed to go free and sin no more.

1632 – Galileo published a very pro-Copernican book, angering the Church. This led to another appearance before the Inquisition in Rome.

1633 – Galileo again renounced his views and was sentenced to house arrest in Florence for the rest of his life.

1992 – Pope John Paul II formally acknowledged Church leaders erred in condemning Galileo for supporting Copernicus’ theory. (Source: Paul Geitner, "Pope John Paul II praises discovery by Copernicus; Breakthrough condemned by church in 1616," The Washington Times, 06-08-99, p. A15).