But here's some food for thought on Galileo:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3161955/posts
http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/2431080/posts?page=11#11
The bottom line --- for those who don't care to go to the Links--- is that a geocentric solar system was never an item of Catholic doctrine (a pope and several cardinals had no difficulty supporting Copernicus' solar-centric model 80 years pervious to Galileo), the whole matter had no direct relevance to Catholic doctrine, and Galileo's indictment by the Roman Tribunal was flatly unjust and fueled by the jealousy of rival academics.
Gaileo, by the way, continued as a Catholic in good standing, was never excommunicated let alone punished (except for house arrest), continued writing, teaching, and even publishing, continued in the Sacraments until the day he died, subcontracted is weekly reading of the Seven Penitential Pslams (his "sentence") to his daughter Maria Celeste (a nun), and was buried with due honors in the Church of Santa Croce.
Tomb of Galileo at the Church of Santa Croce
Read up.