Copernicus, a Catholic priest, delayed publication of his work on heliocentrism until the year of his death. The theory attracted some attention among scientists. Decades later, Galileo Galilei took an interest in astronomy, and raised the question more prominently. This brought the attention of the Committee for Propaganda of the Catholic Church, otherwise known as the Inquisition. He was tried, convicted, and forced to retract his published belief in heliocentrism. 