Are Catholics afraid of truth

Christians in general and Catholics in particular are often accused of being afraid of truth. We are told that we reject science and hold to superstitions. That our beliefs when held to the light of truth fall apart like a snow man in the dessert. The fact is, that nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that in the past men of faith, or claimed the faith seemed opposed to progress and sound science, out of fear that their beliefs would be proven wrong perhaps, or out a sincere desire to save souls. But the folly of this is self evident and not in keeping with historical Christian thinkers. Indeed we owe much to Christianity when it comes to progress in education. The university system was a Catholic invention. Modern genetics was developed by Gregor Mendel a Catholic priest. Nicolas Copernicus developed the modern science that proves the sun is as the center of our solar system, again a Catholic Priest. Galileo did not get in trouble for proposing this but for delving in theology as well as science. So history shows that Christianity has from the beginning embarked in "A relentless, unstoppable pursuit of the truth" to borrow from Rush. Jesus said that "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). So to a Christian the truth, all truth, is liberating. It is also true that to a Christian the opposite holds in that to hold to a lie is to be enslaved. This is where the Church and some people in science clash. Not all research is interested in truth. Take stem cell research. Science has shown much progress in stem cell research not derived from an unborn embryo. Yet some insist on pursuing embryonic stem cell research. It is therefore evident that the research is not to seek out truth but to promote the lie and the evils of abortion. This the Church and the rest of Christianity will oppose with every moral weapon we can muster.