Editorial

With the media hype leading up to the showing of The Lost Tomb of Jesus on the Discovery Channel on Sunday, March 4, I was tempted not to watch the program. After all, wouldn't I be adding to the numbers of viewers and giving some credence to this docudrama parading as journalism?

Yet, I felt compelled to watch the program for professional reasons. And I admit I was curious. How could these so-called experts try to prove that they found the tomb of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and other "family" members?

Draws viewers in. So I did watch The Lost Tomb of Jesus. Although I was primed to reject the show's findings, I was interested in watching how journalist/director Simcha Jacobovici put together his evidence.

While the so-called discoveries are questionable, what makes the program seem more believable - drawing viewers in - are reenactments of what might have happened at the time of Christ. These scenes are included much like short news reels - giving a reality feel to the speculations.

In a panel discussion after the program, Jacobovici mentioned that he selected the "actors" carefully to portray Jesus and his family more realistically. If he went to all that trouble, why didn't he go to the four Gospels to get the truth about what really happened at the time of Christ?

Connecting the dots. The program also tries to connect the "dots" from one hypothesis to another. The problem is that there are so many "ifs" along the way. The basic premise of whether Jesus and his family would be buried in Jerusalem is not even discussed. Jesus was from Nazareth, not Jerusalem. He went there to be crucified, but the rest of his family would have returned home.

The program also purported to use modern scientific techniques to study the remnants left in the ossuaries (or burial boxes) found in the tomb. For example, the supposed DNA of Jesus and Mary Magdalene found in the tomb were found not to be genetically related. Aha! They were then assumed to be married. A big leap - based on pure conjecture.

Confronting the culture. Most archeologists, scholars, and theologians have called the findings of this program "far-fetched." One even called it "archeo-porn." So why am I even writing about it? Because I think people will be seeing this program and discussing it. We as Catholics need to confront our culture, not hide from it. We need to be informed and ready to respond to those who challenge our faith.

As Fr. David O'Connell, president of the Catholic University of America, said on the post-program panel, our faith has been handed down to us for over 2,000 years. Questions on the life and death of Jesus Christ have been raised before (often during the Lenten season). It should not affect our faith.

As Catholics, we believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that he rose bodily into heaven. We must be willing to discuss our faith with others, including the skeptics. We must trust that the truth will triumph.

Mary C. Uhler

Mailbag

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Fr. Mazzuchelli's presence
felt in Benton, other sites

To the editor:

I enjoyed the coverage of Dominican Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in the March 1 Catholic Herald. My first pastorate was at St. Patrick Parish, Benton, where Father Mazzuchelli served as pastor in the last years of his graced priesthood before and during the Civil War.

I felt his spiritual presence as I opened the rectory where he stayed, gazed at his picture and statue, studied the site where the Academy was, or listened to local stories about him. Often I visited his Benton grave where he and early nuns of the Sinsinawa Dominican Order he founded are buried. I also presided at Mass in two churches he built - St. Patrick and St. Augustine of New Diggings. Often I marveled at how St. Augustine's, maintained by the Knights of Columbus, must be the way it was when he celebrated Mass there. And much more!

Whenever I visited the Mazzuchelli exhibit at the Mound, I felt welcome and at home. As I preached or wrote about Father Samuel, I relied upon the Positio by Sr. Nona McGreal. When Father Samuel was declared Venerable, the prioress informed me. I appreciated this.

A contemporary described Father Mazzuchelli as a "steam engine of a missionary." Thinking about what God accomplished through him makes me tired, yet refreshes my faith.

Benton is proud of Father Mazzuchelli. So am I!

Fr. Don Lange, pastor emeritus, Madison

Taxpayers' money should be spent on adult stem cells

To the editor:

The following, except for part of the first paragraph, was excised from a letter to the Wisconsin State Journal in its continued censorship of authentic information concerning the many successes of adult stem cell usage. For more updated information go to: www.stemcellresearch.org

All Wisconsin taxpayers work hard for their money and are not happy to see it needlessly squandered on ineffective projects. Our current governor has pledged $10.5 million of our hard earned dollars to support a failed technology. To date, embryonic stem cell research has provided NO CURES! Instead, embryonic stem cells are characterized by a tendency to form lethal, fast growing tumors.

One desperate Parkinson patient went to China to have embryonic stem cells implanted in his brain since the technology was not available here in the U.S. After the initial euphoria of hope, his health quickly deteriorated leading to death. When his brain was autopsied, bits of flesh, bone, hair, and cartilage, etc., were found growing chaotically within his own brain. Embryonic stem cells are preprogrammed to develop into certain body parts. Wishful thinking does not make it otherwise.

In stark contrast is the rapid progress being made using adult stem cells, including successful treatment for Parkinson's disease. To date, there are over 72 documented uses for adult stem cells and the list is rapidly expanding. Twenty-four types of cancer have been successfully treated with adult stem cells, including brain cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and five types of leukemia including Juvenile Myelomonocystic Leukemia, and renal cell carcinoma.

Fifteen auto-immune diseases have been treated by adult stem cells, including lupus, Chron's disease, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. Other successful uses for adult stem cell therapy include acute heart damage, chronic artery disease, various anemias, chronic Epstein-Barrs infection, limb gangrene, bone replacement, and spinal cord damage.

Why would anyone want to throw money at a failed technology like embryonic stem cells based on "pie-in-the-sky" hopes? Why not use our tax dollars more effectively on a technology with a proven track record using readily available adult stem cells?

Wisconsin is a leader in adult stem cell research. Why isn't this effort being supported? It's time that people be told the truth! Wisconsin can continue to lead the nation and the world with authentic and ethical medical advances using adult stem cell research. It's time to back true progress, not wishful thinking.

Judy Winter, Platteville