KAMPALA – A section of the Catholic laity and clergy have taken exception to President Museveni’s misrepresentation of facts in the death Galileo Galilei, the father of modern astronomy.
President Museveni while addressing the country on Tuesday night said suggest Galileo was hanged under the instructions of Pope Urban VIII.
President Museveni, while trying to convince the country to be humble and listen to scientists then referenced the 15th Century astronomer Galileo whom he said was “killed by ignorant people”.
The reference has caused mixed reactions among the public especially the Catholic community who, in several discussion groups were appalled by the misrepresentation.
According to a senior Catholic cleric, Galileo was tried and jailed at first for suspected heresey during the reign of Pope Urban VIII but he was later acquitted.
“Galileo died in 1642 at the age of 77 years due to a heart disease. Mr President,I respect you but I don’t like the lies especially when history is mutated to favour our own situations,” the cleric said.
The cleric not wish to be quoted on the record.
Apparently, the Catholic community also took exception to the videos that were shown during the President’s address, which were of scenes of three months ago during the Lenten period where Pope Francis was recorded celebrating mass in a purple chasuble that is only worn during the lent period.
The videos were construed to depict a recent situation whereas not.
On the facts leading to the death of Astronomer Galileo, a laity Christian commented:
“And this must be known that the Catholic Church holds a reputation of mothering the re known scientists of all times. So it should be respected than condemned with little or less information,”.