Cardinal Bellarmine: Attack on the Copernican Theory

Cardinal Bellarmine argues against Copernicus’s heliocentric theory, citing its contradiction to scripture and church tradition by relying on the authority of the church (old authority) rather than observation of nature (new).

• A heliocentric universe would render scripture false, therefore it would be dangerous to pursue such an idea and doubt would be cast on the whole of scripture
• Even if scripture were to be interpreted as supporting the theory, it still goes against the consensus of the Holy Fathers
• Scripture clearly defends a geocentric universe (relying on the Bible as an authority)