Kresta in the Afternoon

On the night of November 9, 1938, Nazi SS officials – with the help of the Hitler Youth and regular civilians – ransacked and demolished thousands of Jewish homes and businesses throughout Germany. 267 synagogues were destroyed and more than 30,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. It’s a tragedy that cannot be lost to history. We look back with historian Mitchell Bard

It's been one year since Proposal 3 passed in Michigan, enshrining abortion into the state Constitution. That didn't stop more than 3,000 pro-lifers from showing up at Wednesday's March for Life in Lansing. Chuck Gaidica was there to MC the event and tells us how it went.

In the aftermath of the recent Synod on Synodality assembly at the Vatican, leaders of the Catholic Church in Germany have been eager to frame the synod’s results as an endorsement of their ongoing push for radical changes to Church teaching and practice — and as a justification for similar efforts they plan to make in the coming months. Matthew Bunson has the details.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. Some of them foolishly forgot to bring oil for their lamps, prompting the warning that we must stay awake for we know not the hour when the Lord will return. We talk more with Peggy Stanton.

Multiple bishops from around the world have called upon Hong Kong to release pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Lai has been imprisoned for more than 1000 days and his trial is scheduled to begin next month. His business partner Mark Simon joins us.

Pro-lifers encountered a setback when Issue 1 passed in Ohio, but abortion-rights supporters have enjoyed little success changing public policy in the states. Michael New explains why he isn't losing hope.

Canada has released its annual euthanasia report for 2022, revealing that more than 13,000 Canadians received lethal jabs last year – about 4% of all deaths in the country. The spiritual and moral issues related to death and dying are challenging, and our culture is losing sight of what it means to “die well.” Dr. Steve Doran joins us with a Catholic perspective on death.

To rein in inflation, the Federal Reserve has taken interest rates from near 0% during Covid to near 5%. Will this strategy work? Have interest rates peaked. Chadd Garcia joins us for an economic roundup.

In 2014, following a 50-day military conflict between Israel and Hamas, Alan Johnson delivered a speech in which he identified six myths many in the West, particularly progressives, believe about Hamas. Nearly a decade later, it’s evident that little has changed. Alan joins us.

How do priests who were ordained in the 1970s differ from priests ordained today? What are the differences between priests ordained before and after the 2002 abuse crisis? The Catholic Project has completed the largest survey of American priests in more than fifty years and the results are fascinating. Dr. Tricia Bruce joins us.

Jeremy Christiansen was raised in a loving and devout Mormon home and, despite some years of teenaged rebellion, found himself at home in the Mormon Church. But as he grew older, he began to question the principles of his faith, and his search for answers led him to the Catholic Church. He shares his story.

The Vatican II document Dei Verbum, or Word of God, contains a promise of Scripture - the Word of God is not just given to us to reveal God’s plan, it is a disclosure of God Himself. Al discusses.

In the ancient world, crucifixion was seen as the worst fate imaginable, a punishment reserved for slaves. Yet it was a victim of crucifixion who would become the centerpiece of a religion whose influence has reverberated throughout history. We talk with Tom Holland.

It’s been 50 years since JRR Tolkien’s death on September 2, 1973. Since then, The Lord of the Rings has been translated into dozens of languages and its film adaption is one of the most successful film series of all time. Tolkien was a man of deep faith, but most biographers have been reluctant to explore that area of his life. Why? Holly Ordway joins us with an exploration of what Tolkien’s fait...

In the month since Hamas’ attack on Israel, there have been protests and online movements supporting Palestine and condemning Israel as an apartheid state. As Rachel Lomasky points out, there is no crime in not being familiar with the nuances of the conflict, but if someone is using their voice to support the side that is kidnapping, raping, and murdering, they better be sure they’ve done their re...

What do ordinary Palestinians think about Hamas? The war? How are they surviving amid cascading tragedies? Joseph Braude’s team has spoken with them, and their stories are as heartbreaking as they are shocking. He joins us.

An abortion vote in Ohio tomorrow could prove to be the latest indicator of where the pro-life debate sits on the national stage. Issue 1 would enshrine abortion through all 9 months in Ohio’s state constitution and eliminate the requirements for parental notification, among other things. Peter Range joins us with more.

Charles Borromeo lived only forty-six years, but he accomplished more during his brief life than most Catholics do who live to twice his age. The nephew of Pius IV, he was instrumental in the completion of the Council of Trent. His feast day is tomorrow and we celebrate with William Doino.

On November 4, 1979, 52 US citizens were taken hostage when a group of militarized Iranian college students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran. Among them was Marine Corps guard Rocky Sickmann, who would spend the next 444 days in captivity. He shares his story.

The 24/7 news cycle, coupled with the design of social media, has given our society the memory of a goldfish. We are forever living in the moment. Hamas is banking on that, as the memories of the atrocities of its attack are being swallowed up by the increasing death toll in the war. As a Jewish American, this hits home for Mona Charen. She joins us.

Dr. Ronen Shoval was in the synagogue on the morning of Saturday, October 7 when his Rabbi suddenly stopped the prayers and began to weep. He announced that a war had just broken out in Israel with at least 100 people dead. It soon became clear that the numbers were much higher – but numbers are only the beginning of the story. Ronen has just returned from Israel and he joins us with more.

As civilian deaths mount in Gaza, activists and protestors are accusing Israel as being equally immoral to Hamas. But the moral difference between those who unintentionally kill civilians in defending themselves against aggression, and those who deliberately target women and babies is night and day. Al has more.

We spoke last week with Steve Ray, celebrating October’s Month of the Rosary by examining the history behind the Mysteries of the Rosary. Where was Jesus baptized? What was it like when Mary visited Elizabeth? What did Jesus suffer in the Sorrowful Mysteries? Our conversation ran short, so Steve is back to continue the discussion.

This Sunday’s Gospel explores three characteristics: humility, authenticity, and hypocrisy. Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees who do not practice what they preach and warns us that the greatest among us will one day be the servant. We talk more about it with Peggy Stanton.

Today the Church observes All Souls Day. Why should we celebrate those who have passed on? What is the Catholic view of the meaning of Death? Randall Smith joins us.