The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-02-03

most learned men from all over Europe
were attracted to his lectures, and the
fame OF the university was enhanced by
the erudition OF the professor within it's
walls
Calico had been for years an advo-
cate OF the Copcrnican theory which
apparently contradictcd certain tents OF
the Bible. He set out to defend his adj
vocacy OF the system by publishing 4
thesis on the relation OF physical SCI
cnce to Holy Writ. The inprudcnce OF
his course was evident from the start
He was counsellcd by his friends with
out success. The year following the
appearance OF this thesis he issued a
work wherein lie attempted to explain
posed to the theory OF the carth's mo-
ton, and introduced new passages in its
defense, attributing to them whatever
sense larmonizcd with his views. He
thus assumed the double role OF thco-
logian and scientist. For the former he
was ill-cquipped, and his troubles be,
gan His old enemies, the Aristotle
lians, not forgetting the humiliation to
which he had subjected them, continued
their hostility. In a letter to a friend
he referred to these prosecutions, and
misrepresentation from other quarters.
which had created ANNOYANCE and dis.
trust among the most prominent ccclc-
Slastical dignitarics.
In the year 1915, he received, through
the kindness OF friend. Cardinal Bel
larmine, a scmi-otticial warning not TO
mcddlc with affairs outside his special
province OF scientific investigation. This
advice determined him to go to Rome,
which he did the following year, to
plead his case in person before the &C
clcsiastical authorities His ardor, I'M
prudent as it was, inspired him with
confidence ttSconvincc his friends and
conciliatc his advcrsarics. He failed.
His theories, together with the methods
adopted to prove them were con-
dcmncd, and he was officially admon-
shcd not to teach or defend them III fu-
turc. No abjuraton OF his doctrines
was demanded, no pcrancc was I'M
posed; on the contrary, he obtainc,!
tokens OF personal esteem and protcc-
ton from the Pope and other influential
friends. The elevation OF his friend and
admirer, Maffeo Barberini, to the Pom
tifcal throne in 1923, revived his hopes.
But much as Urban VIII. favored and
admired him in the past, he would not
revoke the decree Of 1910. Certain Of
his rttcrances regarding the non-hcrct-
ical character OF the Copcr,,ican theory,
as also an attributed statement that the
decree Of 1910 would not be issued had
it depended on himself, were forthwith
transmitted to Calico. In hopes OF
achieving further rcnown, and without
any misgivings OF serious consequences,
he published, in 1632, his famous dia-
logue on the 1.-TWO Principal Mondial
Systems" The Copcrnican principles
were reiterated in this work, as we'll as
other assertions regarding which silence
was cnjoined sixteen years before. This
dialogue was made the subject Of the
illogical ccnsurc, and ITS author was
summoned before the Roman Inquisi-
ton. Almost all historical accounts CO.
incidc regarding the royal hospitality
and uncxamplcd kindness extended to
him during his enforced residence in
the Eternal City. He was accused Of
disobcying the Injunction of 1616, and
dcfying the authority OF the Holy Or
fee. In defense, he pleaded his good
intentions, and disavowcd the theory for
maintaining which he was previously
condemned. His explanation and re-
cantation were deemed satisfactory. His
punishment consisted in being retained
in the custody of the Inquisition for
about five weeks, during which time he
was treated as guest OF honor He
then departed for Sienna, and later re-
turned to Florence, where he died in
l642, at the age of 78.
A few words OF explanation are now
in order regarding the scientist himself
and the attitude of the Church towards
his theories. AS stated at the head OF
this article, Calico has commonly re-
ccivcd more credit than he deserved for
being the original discovcrcr of certain
scientific truths. The motion of the
earth around the sun was certainly not
original with him. Like Copcrnicus, he
simply evolved single and consistent
system from among the various astro-
nomical systems OF the ancicnts. He
was summoned to Rome not precisely
because OF his scientific doctrines, but
for the conjoincd reason that he was
confusing the popular mind by the mis-
application OF revealed truth, stating i'll
what sense certain passages were to be
interpreted, and assuming to confirm
his interpretations by means OF scicn-
tifc investigation. Furthermore, he
was not officially summoned to Rome III
1910. He went there to argue and con-
vince. His ill-starrcd ardor met its
doom. Had he remained at home, and
saved Rome annoyance Rome might
have saved him from subsequent trials.
Ac to tho attitude of the Church, she