Some Catholics seek to counter Galileo

Splinter group says the Earth, not the sun, is, indeed, at the center of the universe

July 04, 2011|By Manya A. Brachear, Tribune reporter








Indeed, those promoting geocentrism argue that heliocentrism, or the centuries-old consensus among scientists that the Earth revolves around the sun, is nothing more than a conspiracy theory to squelch the church's influence.


Sungenis is no lone Don Quixote, as illustrated by the hundreds of curiosity seekers, skeptics and supporters at a conference last fall titled "Galileo Was Wrong. The Church Was Right" just off the University of Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind.

Astrophysicists at Notre Dame didn't appreciate the group hitching its wagon to the prestige of America's flagship Catholic university and resurrecting a concept that's extinct for a reason.


Garnavich said the theory of geocentrism violates what he believes should be a strict separation of church and science. One answers why, the other answers how, and never the twain should meet, he said.

But supporters of the theory contend that there is scientific evidence to support geocentrism, just as there is evidence to support the six-day story of creation in Genesis.



"There's a big difference between looking at the origin of the planets, the solar system and the universe and looking at presently how they move and how they are interrelated," Ham said. "The Bible is neither geocentric or heliocentric. It does not give any specific information about the structure of the solar system."

Just as Ham challenges the foundation of natural history museums, Sungenis challenges planetariums, most notably the Vatican Observatory.

Consolmagno said the very premise of going after Galileo illustrates the theory's lack of scientific credibility.

"Of course, we understand the universe in a far more nuanced way than Galileo did 400 years ago," he said. "And I would hope that the next 400 years would see just as much development."

But Sungenis said the renewed interest in geocentrism is due, in part, to the efforts of Christians entering the scientific domain previously dominated by secularists. These Christian scientists, he said, showed modern science is without scientific foundation or even good evidence.

The issue has even sparked a debate between Art and Pat Jones, of Lyons. Pat Jones, a conservative Catholic who often attends Mass at Phillips' parish, said heliocentrism is part of a conspiracy.

"Because of our fallen nature in Christian terms, we take the line of least resistance — go with the flow," said Pat Jones. "But the means of grace have to be intact."

Her husband, Art, a self-described skeptical Protestant, says he is still a "doubting Thomas" but wouldn't put it past the orthodox science community to cook up a conspiracy. He accompanied his wife to the South Bend conference to learn more and "keep peace in the family."

Meanwhile, the theory has brought others like Phillips closer to God.

"I dropped my practice of faith," Phillips said. "When I came back, it was a big wake-up call for me. … The world has its own dogmas."