Paolo Foscarini , dated April 12, 1615. Here's Bellarmine's argument for why he thinks Catholics should hold to the traditional view that the Earth is the fixed center of the universe, around which the Sun moves: I say that, as you know, the Council [of Trent] prohibits expounding the Scriptures contrary to the common agreement of the holy Fathers. And if Your Reverence would read not only the Fathers but also the commentaries of modern writers on Genesis, Psalms, Ecclesiastes and Josue, you would find that all agree in explaining literally ( ad litteram ) that the sun is in the heavens and moves swiftly around the earth, and that the earth is far from the heavens and stands immobile in the center of the universe. Now consider whether in all prudence the Church could encourage giving to Scripture a sense contrary to the holy Fathers and all the Latin and Greek commentators. In response: I think that Cardinal Bellarmine's understanding of Catholic tradition is wrong . He says that "the Council [of Trent] prohibits expounding the Scriptures contrary to the common agreement of the holy Fathers." Common agreement alone is not enough. Bellarmine should have added, "common agreement that the Scriptures should be interpreted in this way ." Church Fathers who assert in passing that the Earth is fixed and that the Sun moves around it simply don't count. They have to say more than that. At the very least, they have to say that this is what the