From the Wikipedia Article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bacon):

Bacon circumvented this restriction through his acquaintance with Cardinal Guy le Gros de Foulques, who became Pope Clement IV in 1265. The new Pope issued a mandate ordering Bacon to write to him concerning the place of philosophy within theology. As a result Bacon sent the Pope his Opus Majus, which presented his views on how the philosophy of Aristotle and the new science could be incorporated into a new Theology. Besides the Opus maius Bacon also sent his Opus minus, De multiplicatione specierum, and, perhaps, other works on alchemy and astrology.

You mean how christianity could adapt so as to survive a new age of thinking? Yeah, it's done that a lot, that's kept it on the forefront of religions.

You mean how christianity could adapt so as to survive a new age of thinking? Yeah, it's done that a lot, that's kept it on the forefront of religions.
I mean Catholics have done many great things in science and Roger Bacon is the first scientist to posit the modern scientific method.

Yes christianity has generally been great for science ;)

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/cgo/lowres/cgon548l.jpg

I mean Catholics have done many great things in science and Roger Bacon is the first scientist to posit the modern scientific method.

Well, the friction between immutable knowledge (dogma) and revisable knowledge might have kept the latter motivated. Not unlike a late teen rebel with daddy issues proclaiming: "I'll show you!" and doing it in a lot more impressive manner than setting up a meth lab or joining a strip club.