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Galileo, 3rd edition

For Copernicanism and for the Church, Third Edition (Revised and Extended)

Annibale Fantoli

From the Vatican Observatory Foundation

After the publication of the second English edition of this book, the opening of the archives of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly the Congregation of the Holy Office), which occurred in 1998, brought to light important new documents on aspects of the trial of Galileo and on steps taken by the Church in 1757. New historical research, especially that of Francesco Beretta, on procedures of the Holy Office and into the legal aspects of the Inquisition have provided important material for a better interpretation of the decisions taken by the Catholic Church in 1616 and in 1633. This third English edition of Galileo: For Copernicanism and for the Church takes advantage of all of this new research and also of Fantoli’s personal reflections upon that research.

ANNIBALE FANTOLI received his doctorate in astronomy from the University of Rome and his Licentiate degree in philosophy and theology from the Gregorian University. He has taught courses in cosmology and the philosophy of science at the universities of Sophia, Aoyama, and Musashino.

Reviews

”. . . Explores the life of Galileo, early reaction to the Copernican theory of the solar system, and Galileo’s battle with the Church. The text concludes with John Paul’s acknowledgment of the mistakes made three centuries ago.” — Sky & Telescope

”. . . Deals with Galileo’s attempts to have Copernicanism at least tolerated and his consequent endeavors to save the Catholic church from making a damaging mistake. . . . Despite Fantoli’s modesty in describing his aims, this book is one that any specialist in the history of science could learn from.” — Nature