James Ondrey 03/9/13
Western Civilization II Midterm Part IV

In the year 1633, after many years of observing celestial objects including the sun and moon, Galileo is accused of heresy against the Roman Catholic Church, and against the heavenly father himself. Galileo is brought to trial and accused of having created, held, believed and preached the doctrine that the earth was not the center of the universe. The church maintained that the center of the universe was the earth with all other celestial objects revolving around it. Galileo’s revolutionary proposal of a heliocentric universe, threatened beliefs taught through Christian theology since 200 A.D. In order to keep the western world under the influence of the Catholic Church, the Cardinals had to do everything in their power to discredit and silence all who opposed the ancient and sacred beliefs of the Holy Scriptures. The Cardinals brought Galileo to trial not only to punish him for heresy against the church, but also to make him publically denounce the notion of a heliocentric universe. In Galileo’s abjuration, he attests that he has always and with God’s help will forever more believe in all that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church has to preach and hold true. Galileo also confesses to the writing and printing of a book that contains information and arguments in favor of a heliocentric universe. Galileo states that he wishes to remove the ideals he consciously instilled in the minds of the all faithful Christians, of this passionate