|
famoustrials
thomasmore
galileo
bounty
johnbrown
oscarwwilde
|
 In
the 1633 trial of Galileo Galilei, two worlds come into cosmic
conflict. Galileo's world of science and humanism collides with the
world of Scholasticism and absolutism that held power in the
Catholic Church. The result is a tragedy that marks both the end of
Galileo's liberty and the end of the Italian Renaissance.
On October 1, 1632, the Inquisitor of Florence showed up at
Galileo's house with a summons to present himself to the Holy Office
in Rome within a month.
The trial by the Congregation moved to its conclusion. Several of
the ten cardinals apparently pushed for Galileo's incarceration in
prison, while those more supportive of Galileo argued that with
changes the Dialogue ought to continue to be allowed to circulate.
In the end, a majority of the cardinals rejecting much of the
Commissary's agreement with Galileo demanded Galileo "even with the
threat of torture...abjure in a plenary assembly of the Congregation
of the Holy Office.. Then be condemned to imprisonment at the
pleasure of the Holy Congregation.
So that you will be more cautious in future, and an example for
others to abstain from delinquencies of this sort, we order that the
book Dialogue of Galileo Galilei be prohibited by public edict. We
condemn you to formal imprisonment in this Holy Office at our
pleasure. As a salutary penance we impose on you to recite the seven
penitential psalms once a week for the next three years. And we
reserve to ourselves the power of moderating, commuting, or taking
off, the whole or part of the said penalties and penances. This we
say, pronounce, sentence, declare, order and reserve by this or any
other better manner or form that we reasonably can or shall think
of. So we the undersigned Cardinals pronounce. Seven of the ten
cardinals signed the sentence.
Galileo was released to the custody of the Florentine ambassador.
Niccolini described his charge as "extremely downcast over his
punishment." After six days in the custody of Niccolini, custody of
Galileo transferred to Archbishop Piccolomini in Sienna. In late
1633, Galileo received permission to move into his own small
farmhouse in Arcetri, where he would grow blind and, in 1641, die.
Famous Trials
Thomas More Galileo
Mutiny on the Bounty
John Brown
Oscar Wilde |
