Free Republic

A judge is set to throw out charges against experts accused of faking a stone box that claimed to offer the first physical proof of the existence of Christ - raising the possibility once again that it could be genuine. The discovery of the 2,000-year-old ossuary, or bone box, bearing the words, 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus', was regarded as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries when it emerged nearly a decade ago. Fake or genuine: Men accused of forging an inscription of the 'Jesus Box' could be released The disputed inscription on the 'Jesus Box' But other...

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 14, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. ordination class of 2005 continues to reflect a trend toward older, better-educated men with a large percentage born in foreign countries, according to a new survey. The survey was reported by sociologist Dean Hoge, who heads the Life Cycle Institute of the Catholic University of America. He wrote the report after considering trends in ordination classes since 1998 and comparing them with data on the men being ordained in 2005. "The average age at ordination rose from 34.8 to 37.0," Hoge said. "The level of education prior to entering the seminary rose,"...

LITTLETON, Colorado, NOV. 28, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The story of the Holy Grail has spawned numerous works of fiction and fantasy, including popular films. The truth about the actual whereabouts of the cup is less clear. One scholar, Janice Bennett, author of "St. Laurence and the Holy Grail" (Ignatius), believes that the cup's history can be traced from St. Peter's journey to Rome, to St. Laurence in the third century, and then to its final resting place in Spain. Bennett holds a master's in Spanish literature from the University of Colorado, and a certificate in Advanced Bible Studies from the Catholic...