La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

Faith and Reason

Galileo

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

The Church persecuted Galileo. This proves the Church is afraid of science.

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

During Galileo’s time, the Protestant Reformation was raging. The Church ordered Galileo not to publish his theories because they were controversial, unprovable by the science of the time, and could cause more disturbance. Many of his teachings later proved to be wrong.

For more, see The Galileo Controversy from Catholic Answers.

From religion comes a man’s purpose; from science, his power to achieve it. Sometimes people ask if religion and science are not opposed to one another. They are: in the sense that the thumb and fingers of my hands are opposed to one another. It is an opposition by means of which anything can be grasped.”

Sir William Henry Bragg (1862–1942),

British physicist, chemist, mathematician, and Nobel laureate

The Church reveres science but tries not to make statements about particular scientific theories. Unfortunately, many scientists today often make statements about religion, many of which are untrue.

Other References: Sir 14:20-21; Prv 3:13, 4:1-9, 16:9; CCC 159, 343, 358

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catholic answers

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catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.