Endnote 1 – Lying Scholars?
Some say this scholar has theological reasons for his position; according to scholars we have spoken to, he believes in the perpetual virginity of Mary, a belief he fears may be undermined if the ossuary inscription is authentic and refers to Jesus of Nazareth. But this is no reason to lie about having previously seen the inscription. In any event, Father Joseph Fitzmyer, who comes from the same religious tradition as the scholar in question, has no such fear. He, too, doubts that the reference to “Jesus” on the ossuary is to Jesus of Nazareth, but notes that the word for “brother” in the New Testament does not necessarily mean blood brother; it can mean cousin and even compatriot, Fitzmyer says.