Opinion of referring to Copernicus only as "Father Copernicus"

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I've picked up this habit lately.  Many people, thanks to the unfortunate Galileo affair, have picked us this idea that the Catholic Church has stood in the way of science, when in actuality there would have been no European science or any knowledge of ancient history or philosophy if it wasn't for the Church.

I like to do this even in casual conversation to recognize that perhaps the world's most important astronomer was a Catholic priest.  He was never called a heretic by the Church.  In fact, Pope Gregory (can't remember the number) reformed the calendar based on Copernicus's observations, so clearly the Church was for heliocentricism long before that Galileo absurdity.


I do the same for Brother Mendel.