This week in Christian history: Galileo recants, Machen ordained, PCUSA elects first black leader
Galileo forced to recant — June 22, 1633
This week marks the anniversary of when pioneering astronomer Galileo Galilei was forced by Catholic Church officials to recant his view that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
According to the signed document, the 70-year-old Galileo declared:
“I wrote and printed a book in which I discuss this new doctrine already condemned, and adduce arguments of great cogency in its favor, without presenting any solution of these.”
“I abjure, curse, and detest the aforesaid errors and heresies, and generally every other error, heresy, and sect whatsoever contrary to the said Holy Church, and I swear that in the future I will never again say or assert, verbally or in writing, anything that might furnish occasion for a similar suspicion regarding me.”
“Further, I swear and promise to fulfill and observe in their integrity all penances that have been, or that shall be, imposed upon me by this Holy Office.”
In 1983, 350 years after Galileo agreed to recant, Pope John Paul II apologized for the treatment of Galileo before a group of scientists. At a ceremony before the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1992, the Church officially recognized that Galileo was right.
