I would still argue that the decision of the Inquisition to call Galilei a heretic wasn’t done with the main goal of suppressing heliocentrism in general (much less to suppress science), but it was done as an excuse to suppress Galilei personally.
The following arguments would I mention in the support of my claim above:
Both Galilei and others did spend a lot of time and effort in searching proofs for heliocentrism. Even the pope himself knew this, and didn’t discourage Galilei and didn’t try to stop him.
There were others who handled heliocentrism as a valid (just less probable) alternative theory instead of handling it as heresy (e.g. Riccioli) and they weren’t bothered by the inquisition.
Galilei came forth with his own theological views and interpretations of the Bible, I would guess this pissed off the church much more than his scientific works.
I would still argue that the decision of the Inquisition to call Galilei a heretic wasn’t done with the main goal of suppressing heliocentrism in general (much less to suppress science), but it was done as an excuse to suppress Galilei personally.
The following arguments would I mention in the support of my claim above:
Both Galilei and others did spend a lot of time and effort in searching proofs for heliocentrism. Even the pope himself knew this, and didn’t discourage Galilei and didn’t try to stop him.
There were others who handled heliocentrism as a valid (just less probable) alternative theory instead of handling it as heresy (e.g. Riccioli) and they weren’t bothered by the inquisition.
Galilei came forth with his own theological views and interpretations of the Bible, I would guess this pissed off the church much more than his scientific works.