Even in our modern age of communication it can take decades for scientific ideas to become accepted. While 150 years from inception to acceptance is not reasonable in our century, to apply this standard to the 16th/17th centuries is culturally ignorant.
The Church's conservatism has nothing to do with fear but of the importance in clearly discerning Truth. Hence, it is patient.
As was correctly pointed out by many readers, this quote is nearly two decades old. It is only brought up by the news media from its obsession with attacking the Catholic Church. Apparently, the DaVinci heresy is not enough.
This re-circulated attack ignores the fact that Mr. Hawking didn't acknowledge that Pope John Paul II specifically expressed regret with the way the Galileo case was handled. Furthermore, it propagates the myth that Galileo was an unwilling victim of an aggressive inquisition. At the time, the Pope was one of Galileo's biggest advocates until he refused to use discretion in the presentment of his ideas.
The Church has always welcomed the discussion of new ideas but expects those that are not part of the Magisterium to use discretion in the presentment of these ideas. This is because the Church is charged with the responsibility to be the "buttress of Truth" and must be sure that it is, in fact, discerning that Truth. Sometimes that process can take centuries.
Galileo, Luther, and others who were consumed with impatience and chose not to use discretion were the very catalysts and equal cooperators in the circumstances that befell them.
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Even in our modern age of communication it can take decades for scientific ideas to become accepted. While 150 years from inception to acceptance is not reasonable in our century, to apply this standard to the 16th/17th centuries is culturally ignorant.
The Church's conservatism has nothing to do with fear but of the importance in clearly discerning Truth. Hence, it is patient.
As was correctly pointed out by many readers, this quote is nearly two decades old. It is only brought up by the news media from its obsession with attacking the Catholic Church. Apparently, the DaVinci heresy is not enough.
This re-circulated attack ignores the fact that Mr. Hawking didn't acknowledge that Pope John Paul II specifically expressed regret with the way the Galileo case was handled. Furthermore, it propagates the myth that Galileo was an unwilling victim of an aggressive inquisition. At the time, the Pope was one of Galileo's biggest advocates until he refused to use discretion in the presentment of his ideas.
The Church has always welcomed the discussion of new ideas but expects those that are not part of the Magisterium to use discretion in the presentment of these ideas. This is because the Church is charged with the responsibility to be the "buttress of Truth" and must be sure that it is, in fact, discerning that Truth. Sometimes that process can take centuries.
Galileo, Luther, and others who were consumed with impatience and chose not to use discretion were the very catalysts and equal cooperators in the circumstances that befell them.