Kresta in the Afternoon

Pro-life and Catholic groups in Michigan are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit brought by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who asked the Michigan Supreme Court to declare that abortion is protected by the state’s constitution. Teresa Tomeo join us with the latest – catch her tonight on EWTN News In-Depth!

The Holy Spirit comes to bear Witness to Christ and is the foremost witness to who Jesus is. How do we relate to the Spirit, and how does this relationship differ from the other persons of the Trinity? Peter Williamson joins us.

Three recent gun attacks have brought the issue of gun control back into the news. We don’t know much yet about the shooter in Tulsa, but we do know that the motivations and backgrounds of the shooters in Uvalde and Buffalo were very different. We look back on a conversation with Peter Langman to understand what similarities and differences we see among people who choose to commit mass murder.

If Roe v Wade is overturned, Pro-lifers will need to know their arguments better than ever. Today Al begins a series examining the biggest claims of abortion supporters and how pro-lifers can respond.

This weekend we conclude the Easter season with the great Feast of Pentecost. What does the Catechism teach us about the power of the Holy Spirit and its role in the Church? Peggy Stanton joins us.

As we await the final opinion in the Dobbs ruling, we should recall who we are as a nation and the creed that binds us together. Michael Kenney joins us to do just that.

Recent attacks in Buffalo, Uvalde and Tulsa have brought the Gun Control debate to the forefront of public discourse. But there are some important facts that are often overlooked in this discussion. Al shares some thoughts.

In order to fully appreciate the Scriptures, we must understand from where the Scriptures came. In the years after Christ’s death, faithful Christians of differing backgrounds fought over the contents and structure of the Old Testament. Who won these “Scripture Wars?” God did, of course but not without raising up a great saint whose keen mind and deep faith expelled from Christianity both false un...

Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1986 film, flew into theaters this weekend. It was originally scheduled for release in summer 2020, but the film’s producers wanted to wait until crowds could see it in theaters again. It seems like they made the right decision – with global sales over $280 million, it is the biggest opening weekend in Cruise’s four-decade career. Some conservative com...

This weekend Pope Francis announced the creation of 21 new cardinals, including 16 who could be eligible to vote in the next papal conclave. Most relevant to American Catholics was the inclusion of San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy. What can we glean from Pope Francis’ promotions? Matthew Bunson joins us with this and other Church news.

In his Second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes that when we see the Glory of the Lord, we are “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” This study of the supernatural life is formally known as ascetical theology. We dive into this spiritual life with Fr. Jeff Kirby.

Ever since World War II, there have been attempts to label Pope Pius XII as “Hitler’s Pope.” Pius is accused of standing by in silence as Hitler massacred Europe’s Jews. The narrative has been brought to the service again with an essay by David Kertzer, who claims to have found few information in never-before-seen articles in the Vatican Archives. Ron Rychlak joins us.

Yesterday was the feast of St Joan of Arc, a saint who has also become a legend in her own regard. Much of what we know about her life comes from her trial. Rachel Fulton Brown joins us with more.

Fr. Gabriel Gionti of the Vatican Observatory, along with his associate Fr. Matteo Galaverni, have discovered a  new mathematical approach that will help astronomers better understand how gravity behaved at the time of the Big Bang when the universe was created — a new finding which, they say, “confirms that our universe appears mathematically ordered and harmonious.” Fr. Gabriel joins us.

On Memorial Day we honor our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. But we can’t overlook the smaller everyday sacrifices made by the wives and families of our soldiers. Donna Marie Coooper OBoyle joins us with stories, prayers and meditations for Catholic military wives.

It’s one of the most iconic images of the Second World War – six US Marines raising the flag on Mt Suribachi during the horrific Battle of Iwo Jima. But did you know a Mass was celebrated under the flag? RJ Matava joins us with the story, 75 years after the battle.

What's it like to be a military chaplain? To travel to all corners of the world, instead of staying in one parish? To witness and serve to people who risk their lives every day? Fr. Daniel Mode is a priest in the Archdiocese of the Military. He joins us to share his experiences. We'll also look at the dramatic story of Fr. Vincent Capodanno, a priest who gave his life on a Vietnam battlefield.

We continue the Conversation on broken homes and fatherlessness. The Washington Examiner published an article yesterday once again evincing that fatherlessness in homes is one of the leading causes of children growing up to commit crimes. The statistics for the likelihood of fatherless children being incarcerated for crimes is alarming. Joining us to talk about the theological reality of fatherhoo...

We’re learning more about the background of the Uvalde school shooter. He was living with his grandparents after leaving his mother’s home over an argument and his parents had been separated for several years. He reportedly had a strained relationship with both of them. How many other shooters come from similar backgrounds? Brad Wilcox joins us.

The Ascension of Jesus into the presence of the Father reveals that while our existence necessarily involves this present world, it most certainly does not end with this present world. We talk more with Fr. Matthew MacDonald.

In an essay on storytelling published this week, Pope Francis quotes Frodo in the Lord of the Rings: “The Tales Never End.” We take the opportunity to discuss the faith of Tolkien with Joe Pearce, who also looks at the strange life of Oscar Wilde.

At a press conference today Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department for Public Safety, clarified what we all have been wondering for nearly a week – why didn’t the police immediately breach the school when they arrived on scene? He explained the team made decisions based on their current understanding of the situation, but in retrospect those decisions were the wrong ones. As Christians we...

On Sunday, the results of a major independent investigation of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Church was published. The findings are devastating. Terry Mattingly gives us some info.

At the time of the Ascension, Jesus had prepared His disciples for something big to happen. But immediately after the Ascension, the Disciples did not being preaching – they went to pray. Al discusses.

Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Ascension. On this Feast we can remember that the Lord has gone to prepare a place for us, and that eye has not seen what God has ready for us. We look at the Ascension and the Catechism with Peggy Stanton.