>>I grew up in a Jesuit seminary. I think pretty much the only thing I know is that they are generally pretty smart people. And they drink a lot.

OK, but they also contributed significantly to the development of scientific understanding, making extravagant claims to the contrary look ludicrous. And yes, sometimes they did come into conflict with their church - for example, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's thoughts on original sin caused his groundbreaking scientific work not to be published in his lifetime.

The trick seems to be to conduct and publish your research without kicking any sacred cows, or drawing the attention of the cruel grey bureaucrats who relish the opportunity to spifflicate creative types.