Critics of the Inquisition normally claim the Inquisition was an intolerant, unmerciful organization.  In light of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis, it might help to address how the Inquisition expressed mercy rather than suppressing it. We must first recall two essential truths of mercy.  First, mercy is essentia...

Discussions about Galileo Galilei rarely emphasize the scientific contributions of the Renaissance-era astronomer and physicist.  Even public broadcasting programs push the scientist’s science to the background in light of the more exciting fight between Galileo and the Church.  Galileo was the victim, the general narrative goes, of the Roman I...

As members of a 2,000 year old church, we often find ourselves apologizing for mistakes of the past. For example, how often do we find ourselves apologizing for the Inquisition? Don’t worry, we want to say, we’re not like that anymore. We see the inquisitors as awkward uncles at family reunions; we distance ourselves from them. We accept the st...