Posted on 06/29/2009 6:42:19 AM PDT by NYer
Pope Benedict XVI said last night that bone fragments found inside the tomb of St Paul in Rome had been carbon dated for the first time, "confirming the unanimous and uncontested tradition that they are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul".
He said that archaeologists had inserted a probe into the white marble sarcophagus under the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls which has been revered for centuries as the tomb of St Paul.
The pontiff said: "Small fragments of bone were carbon dated by experts who knew nothing about their provenance and results showed they were from someone who lived between the 1st and 2nd century. This seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that these are the mortal remains of Paul the Apostle."
The Pope, who said the discovery "fills our souls with great emotion", made the unexpected announcement during Vespers at St Paul's Basilica last night, marking the end of the Pauline year held in honour of the apostle. He said that as well as bone fragments, archaeologists had found grains of red incense, a piece of purple linen with gold sequins and a blue fabric with linen filaments in the tomb.
Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, the archpriest of St Paul's, said that he had known for more than a year that the tests had shown that the bones were those of a man of the 1st century, but had been sworn to secrecy because it had been "up to the Holy Father to make this public". He said this was why the Vatican press office had denied last week that the bones had been identified. "Only the Pope can make such an important and solemn announcement," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
That’s very true about DNA. But how would a person obtain it and how would you know it was St. Paul’s? I’d say there is a 99% chance the remains are those of the saint.
I could be wrong but I thought he was
a Roman (that is an proto-Italian).
“Not having a sample of Paul’s DNA, a DNA sample would tells us what? Male. Middle eastern maybe, and not much more than that.
exactly!
Back in the 4th century, they didn't have dna analysis; what they did have was common sense, something most folks lack today. Once the persecution of christians ended, they took the bones of St. Paul, erected a Church and buried his remains, with dignity and respect. No one can prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that these bones belonged to St. Paul. It is presumed that those early christians who suffered unmercifully under the Roman empire, safeguarded the bones of this beloved disciple until such time as they could erect a memorial. I suggest you familiarize yourself with Persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire, for a better understanding of the early Church.
Bravo! But you beat me to it. ;^)
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Either we believe in carbon dating or we don’t. Since it seems every few years, the Carbon Dating Society (sounds kinda kinky, doesn’t it?) changes their calibrations, I do not believe in carbon dating. I also do not need the Pope to “prove” anything to me. I believe. That is one of the basic tenants of our religion, isn’t it? We just believe. (that is not to say that I don’t question certain things, but those are of a contemporary matter, not these ancient items).
While this is interesting information, it has no impact on my faith.
“Not having a sample of Paul’s DNA, a DNA sample would tells us what? Male. Middle eastern maybe, and not much more than that.
Exactly. We cannot KNOW. The Pope simply gave an opinion
that may or may not be correct. Same old same old.
The bones could be anyones’s since there is no way to identify Paul’s bones as belonging to Paul.
condition of the skeleton would be of interest, as would its contents, but I guess that is asking too much (exhumation).
Catholics seem to really love old bones and relics.
And it must be true because the DNA tests are fprth coming. This is the difficulty of having relics
And how are these remains known? Tradition and oral history are nice enough but please folks this just says we have some bones and they may come from the time of Paul
Amen. If someone really wants to venerate Paul, he should read all the Epistles attributed to him. If you really absorb and honor their content, you are a Christian beyond a doubt. Also, the carbon date indicates someone who lived 100-200 A.D. Paul died before 100 A.D.
There is a test that can be done to measure trace elements found in the body (I think usually from teeth). These trace elements are absorbed into the body from drinking water. Since these trace elements vary from place to place it can fairly reliably determine where the individual came from. If the traces in this body were to match those of people in the area of Tarsus it wold be extremely convincing.
It is evidence consistant with the tradition that Paul’s remains have been interred in the tomb since the first century. That’s not a small thing.
Roman citizenship, not birth. Believe he was of the tribe of Benjamin.
If, if if.........not too convincing.
I definitely believe in Carbon Dating
It may not be for everybody- but a good friend of mine met his new wife this way.
BWAHAHAHA
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