[E Rocc]

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The Church's view that some questions should not even be asked was a stifling force on advancement.

The Church has never held such a view.

Then why did Copernicus (a Catholic priest) wait until the year of his death to publish his heliocentric theory?

-Eric

[Snuffington]

Then why did Copernicus (a Catholic priest) wait until the year of his death to publish his heliocentric theory?

From the article linked in post #26 above:

Copernicus had delayed the publication of his book for years because he feared, not the censure of the Church, but the mockery of academics. It was the hide-bound Aristotelians in the schools who offered the fiercest resistance to the new science.

Two bishops were the ones who finally persuaded him to publish. Hardly common for someone supposedly being silenced by the Church.

Incidentally, thanks to Varda for finding that article. I recall reading it some time ago, but could never remember the source or find it again.

[Varda]

Read the link at post 19. Copernicus was fighting Martin Luther's (and others) influence in the universities. In the end with the persuasion and support of fellow clerics he published "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" with a dedication to Pope Paul III.

"when I considered this carefully, the contempt which I had to fear because of the novelty and apparent absurdity of my view, nearly induced me to abandon utterly the work I had begun.
  My friends, however, in spite of long delay and even resistance on my part, withheld me from this decision. First among these was Nicolaus Schonberg, Cardinal of Capua, distinguished in all branches of learning. Next to him comes my very dear friend, Tidemann Giese, Bishop of Culm, a most earnest student, as he is, of sacred and, indeed, of all good learning. "
http://www.bartleby.com/39/12.html

[breakem]

How did Copernicus know that the year he published was the year he would die?