| Show recantation BECAN ix IN connection with the position in which dr mcglynn tiow now finds himself placed henry georgein george in his paper the standard refers to the case of galileo he pictures the trembling old man of three score and ten weakened by long imprisonment and as some say by torture on the rack kneeling before the scarlet robed cardinals and with his open hand upon the scriptures denying on oath that which he knew to be true following is a translation from the latin of the recantation uttered by galileo on that occasion that th the esunis sun is tte the center of the universe and immovable by local motion is an absurd proposition false in ia philosophy hil and formally fer mally heretical sacred scripture r that the earth is not the centre of the universe nor immovable ble but is moved even by a diurnal motion is also an absurd proposition false in philosophy and theologically considered at least erroneous in faith with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith I 1 abjure curse and detest the above mentioned errors and heresies her esies the object had in view in recounting the harrowing features of Galileo Gali leos ls case is to influence eublio public opinion in relation to that of I 1 dr r mcglynn and lead the papal see to be cautious in its treatment of him he ete and his friends insist that he ought to be permitted to retain his bis membership in the roman catholic church and even his priestly office though engaged in promulgating teachings that are in violation of the doctrines of that church and though he defiantly refuses to recant the same or cease to advocate 1 them hem if galileo taught that which was in violation of the creed of the church of which he was a member that church had a right to excommunicate him it wo would u id be as much a violation of natu natural raJus justice tice to compel a church chuoc 11 to coun countenance countegan ce the teachings of a heretical member bemb er as to forbid the latter to enjoy the right of his own opinions j the crime committed by the church in the case of galileo did not consist in threatening to excommunicate him but in the use of physical lorce force the purpose of compelling him to recant truths which his superior intellect had discovered and was able to con so in the case of dr mcglynn the vatican has a right to demand of him that be cease promulgating doctrines regarded as in violation of the teach te acia lugs ings of the church which he claims to represent and of the best interests of society boci ety and it further has haa the right to excommunicate him for refus refusing i ng to comply with the demand if druc dr mcglynn was possessed of the honesty and dignity of a really great reformer so se far from protesting against excommunication muni cation from a church which opposes oses what he be holds to be great truths le be would find it impossible to conscientiously remain a member of it and would voluntarily withdraw from it |
