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If you're really curious about the cave, be sure to eavesdrop on the informal conversations among scholars at the Ancient Near East mailing list. For constant news updates on this and similar finds, bookmark the NT Gateway blog (which links to related blogs) and The Bible and Interpretation news area.

Deal Hudson speaks
Aside from a Beliefnet article over the weekend, the National Catholic Reporter's article about Bush adviser and Crisis editor Deal Hudson has completely fallen off the radar. (Weblog thinks reporters are ignoring it just to see if The Revealer editor Jeff Sharlet merely starts walking the streets of New York in a sandwich board, or if he turns apoplectically into The Hulk, pummeling reporters who haven't followed up on the story.) Most of the blogs Weblog mentioned on Friday have by now said something about the story (one just to say that it's not going to say much about the story). But two developments are worth noting. One is Hudson's response to the Reporter article. The most noteworthy paragraphs:

Ten years ago, I committed a serious sin with an undergraduate student of mine while teaching at Fordham University. For this I am truly and deeply sorry. I have confessed this and asked for forgiveness, my family has worked through it, and time has passed. But I know this is news to you, and so I offer my sincerest apologies. I recognize that I have let countless people down and have brought scandal to myself, my family, and my Faith. For this, I beg your forgiveness.

Some may wonder why I speak of the event in a way that seems vague or abstract. Please don't mistake this for lack of shame, regret, or repentance. The simple fact is, I can't say any more about it. Ten years ago, I signed a confidentiality agreement, and so I'm seriously constrained in what I can say. I know this is frustrating for you, and so that's one more thing I apologize for.

The second development is the response of Catholic League president Bill Donohue, whom Weblog earlier noted had potential to benefit from Hudson's resignation from the Bush campaign. Scratch that. After Thursday, the only people interested in tying those two guys together are those who don't like either one. That's because of Donohue's Thursday press release calling Hudson's undergraduate student "a drunk."

"One thing you've got to say about the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights: It'll never be known as the Catholic League for Chivalry Toward Women," says Beliefnet blogger Charlotte Hays. "To smear this woman is inexcusable and I can't believe further dishonorable behavior is what is needed in this sad situation."

The Catholic League wisely removed the press release from their site, but given Hudson's recent statement, it seems that a full apology would be much wiser. In any case, Donohue just made a good case for why he worked in obscurity for so long.

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August (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48