Phony claim needs burying

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

The top story on the front page of last week's Compass [online here] debunked a claim that a tomb uncovered in Jerusalem 30 years ago is the burial site of Jesus and his family.

The Catholic News Service story quoted Fr. Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, OP, a prominent biblical scholar, responding to two film makers preparing to release a new documentary.

Fr. Murphy-O'Connor, who has lectured often at St. Norbert College, De Pere, called it "a commercial ploy that all the media are playing into."

Amos Kloner, an Israeli archaeologist who wrote the original report on the site, was even more blunt: "Nonsense."

Claims such as this should always be dismissed. For one thing, they could never be proven scientifically. For another, Christmas, Lent and Easter routinely bring out those intent on debunking some core element of Christianity, while gaining fame and fortune for themselves.

In cases such as these, it's wise to follow the advice of Deep Throat in the Watergate investigation: Follow the money.

Our faith is in the risen Christ, not misbegotten souls who deny him for their 30 pieces of silver.