Kresta in the Afternoon

Over the last several years and especially since the murder of George Floyd we have seen an increased effort to "re-examine" the heroes of the past, with statues of everyone from Columbus to Abraham Lincoln being torn down or vandalized. But surely someone like Mother Teresa is exempt from such reckonings, right? Not so, as the New York Times recently published a piece asking if the saint was real...

There are some pundits (in both the Catholic and secular press) that are claiming that drafting a document on the Eucharist promotes disunity in the Church.  How can it possibly be that the Eucharist, the sacrament of unity, promotes disunity?  Al Kresta explains why this idea is false.

When opponents of the Catholic Church claim the Church is against science, the story of Galileo is the first place they look. The story goes that the Inquisition forced Galileo to recant many of his views the Church saw as incompatible with faith, culminating with an official recantation on June 22, 1633. Al looks at the real story of Galileo with Fr. Dom Paschal Scotti.

What actually  happened with Galileo and is the Catholic Church really against science?  Al Kresta takes a look.

Yesterday was the Feast of St Thomas More, well-known as a lawyer and assistant to King Henry who fought the Reformation and was martyred for his faith. But there's a lesser-known side: Thomas More the Writer. He's the author of twenty books as well as hundreds of letters and poems, many of them written from prison. Gerry Wegemer joins Al to talk about his life and writings.

A proposed change to U.S. law concerning the determination of brain death has drawn criticism from a group of doctors, lawyers, and philosophers, who say the changes could lead to incorrect diagnoses of brain death in patients who are still alive. It’s a very important, yet highly technical discussion, and Dr Steve Doran helps us understand it.

Last week the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in favor of Catholic Social Services, finding that the City of Philadelphia cannot force them to certify same-sex couples as foster parents. We can’t fully understand this case without looking at another decision – Employment Division v Smith, more commonly known as Smith v Oregon. Ed Whelan from the Ethics and Public Policy Center helps us unpack it.

Close your eyes and let your mind take you back to 1565, when five Spanish ships sailed into a cove on the coast of what we now know as Florida. They went ashore, where they soon celebrated the first Mass in the New World. You have an opportunity to see the sites for yourself this fall with Steve Ray and Al, who give us a preview.

Detroit news and talk radio station WJR aired a brief news piece today looking at the USCCB’s pending document on proper reception of abortion. While the exchange did have its merits, it also repeated several misconceptions about the story and why it matters to American Catholics. How can you explain this debate to someone who is not a practicing Catholic? Al takes a look at the discussion and off...

The US Bishops have come under scrutiny since the election; those on the left say they are "weaponizing" the Eucharist, while those on the right say they are not speaking enough against pro-abortion politicians who profess the Catholic faith. Some Catholics have even vowed to leave the faith over their disagreements with the bishops - but isn't that a bit dramatic? Teresa Tomeo joins Al.

What is the proper way for priests to dialogue with Bishops with whom they disagree? Fr Charles Fox talks with Al Kresta about a recent controversy with Archbishop Allen Vigneron and Fr. James Altman.

Four protesters, including a priest and recent high school graduate, were arrested earlier this month in Ohio for participating in a Red Rose Rescue. Audrey Whipple, one of the arrested, and Monica Miller join Al.

If you have followed mainstream coverage of religion (and politics) in recent decades, you know that many journalists tend to make liberal use of the vague term “moderate.” We saw it again recently in the coverage of the USCCB Assembly and the Southern Baptist Convention. Al talks more about it with Terry Mattingly.

Al is back and shares his comments on Eucharistic coherence and what a document from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops might when it is voted upon in November.

Sunday is Father’s day and, as it has been written many times over in this year of St. Joseph, Joseph is the Christian father par excellence.  He is obedient to God, he is a strong worker, and he loves and serves his wife and child.  Steve Ray joins us to discuss St. Joseph and Christian fatherhood.

Right now, Christians are fighting for their lives in countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia.  It can be easy to forget about them simply because of their distance to us, but they are our brothers and sisters in Christ and need our prayers.  Ed Clancy from Aid to the Church in Need joins guest host Dr. Matthew Bunson to talk about the plight of Christians in Nigeria and Ethiopia’s Tigray re...

How did the USCCB vote on key issues on their agenda?  Matt Hadro from the Catholic News Agency joins guest host Dr. Matthew Bunson for our continuing coverage. 

The USCCB has wrapped up its June meeting and there has been a major religious freedom win at the Supreme Court.  Montse Alvarado, host of EWTN News In Depth, joins guest host Dr. Matthew Bunson to discuss this and what is coming up tonight on EWTN Television and Radio.

Jesus called his Apostles “friends.”  For them and for the Church Fathers, friendship was at the heart of the Gospel and it was the most effective means of evangelization.  Evangelizing the world was done through one friend bringing another into the Church—where both could be friends with God.  Mike Aquilina, author of Friendship and the Fathers: How the Early Church Evangelized joi...

The American bishops are midway through their annual June meeting, being held virtually this year.  What should we be looking for?  Also, what else is going in the Church and will we need a new brievery?  Dr. Matthew Bunson joins guest host Dr. Greg Popcak.

Today the Supreme Court unanimously decided in favor of Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia.  Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his opinion that the City of Philadelphia’s refusal to make an exception for Catholic Social Services is a violation of the first amendment.  Montse Alvarado, host of EWTN News In Depth and the Vice President and Executive Director for Beckett, the firm b...

What is it that Saint Joseph has to offer the Church – and each one of us – today?  He was held in obscurity for more than a millennium to becoming the Patron of the Universal Church.  Joe Heschmeyer joins guest host Dr. Greg Popcak to talk about St. Joseph’s example.

Dr. Greg Popcak is our guest host today and he shares his thought about the "beDADittudes" as a way fathers can grow stronger.

The world has, in many cases, turned Jesus into a bland, nice man, who said not to judge people.  But in reality, Jesus taught some radical and strange things.  Cy Kellett, host of Catholic Answers Live , joins guest host Jerry Usher to discuss Our Redeemer and His teachings.

The Bishops are meeting virtually for their annual June meeting.  What happened today and what should we look forward to.  Dr. Matthew Bunson joins guest host Jerry Usher to discuss this.