Catholic Pocket Dictionary and Cyclopedia

This work also includes an abridged account of the Religious Orders and One Hundred and Fifty Important Facts of Church History Explained. The object in compiling a Catholic Pocket Dictionary and Cyclopedia was to provide a work of ready reference and to give the necessary information in a condensed form. The large number of subjects included, naturally, required the economy of space. No attempt, therefore, has been made to dwell on questions that are obsolete or of little interest to the general reader. The demand for a Catholic Pocket Dictionary and Cyclopedia containing a brief explanation of the doctrines, discipline, rites, ceremonies and councils of the Church, as well as an abridged account of the Religious Orders and an explanation of important facts in Church History, has been so great that I hope all those seeking knowledge on the subjects treated herein will find it a useful book. Question: Is it true that Galfieo was persecuted and imprisoned by the Inquisition? Answer: It is alleged that Galileo was persecuted for having taught that the earth moves around the sun, and this is brought forth as a proof of the Church's ignorance, intolerance and fallibility, and of her opposition to the progress of science. Facts have been here misrepresented. It is true that by order of Pope Paul V, Galileo's doctrines were examined in Rome in 1610, and were condemned, first by censure of the Holy Office and then by a decree of the Congregation of the Index. Having promised in Rome that he would no longer defend or teach his opinions, Galileo returned peacefully to Florence. In 1692 he again published his theory, drawing upon himself a fresh condemnation of the Holy Office with the penalty of imprisonment. This penalty was afterwards commuted to that of seclusion in the gardens of Trinita-del Monte. Here Galileo was at liberty to receive visits, and he received permission to return to his country house, where he died. It may be stated that the horrors of chains, dungeons and tortures which he had to undergo at the hands of the Inquisition are but fables and calumny.