Why is the church sensitive to the discoveries of 17th century scholars?

In the late Middle Ages, the role of religion began to fade away. The Church reacted aggressively to the research of scientists, because they contradicted church dogmas and beliefs. Scientific knowledge destroyed the usual picture of the world and contributed to the decline of feudal society. The discoveries of scientists convinced an increasing part of the population of the objectivity of the events and phenomena taking place around them. Religious views protected the society of the Middle Ages from many illegal actions, they also disciplined the population.