Kresta in the Afternoon

Islamic persecution of Christians has intensified in Pakistan in recent weeks following an accusation that a local man blasphemed and desecrated the Quran. More than 30 churches and 800 homes have been destroyed – but on Sunday more than 700 people gathered to celebrate Mass in the remains of their Church. Edward Clancy joins us.

After a retirement marked with scandal and shame, Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard of Albany died last week and his funeral was celebrated today. How does the Church remember a prelate who dies without publicly repenting for their sins? Matthew Bunson joins us.

Contraception and abortion were not originally part of the 1960s women's movement. How did the women's movement, which fought for equal opportunity for women in education and the workplace, and the sexual revolution, which reduced women to ambitious sex objects, become so united? We’ll talk with Sue Ellen Browder, who witnessed it firsthand.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter “who do you say that I am,” and after Peter’s response he says that Peter is the Rock upon which He will build the Church. Peggy Stanton joins us with a look at what the Catechism says about this key passage.

In Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis writes, "Love needs space and time…Time is needed to talk things over, to embrace leisurely, to share plans, to appreciate one another and to build a stronger relationship. Sometimes the frenetic pace of our society and the pressures of the workplace create problems, at other times the problem is the lack of quality time together, sharing the same room without one even noticing the other." Tim and Sue Muldoon are here with ideas on how to slow down and savor the little moments with our family.

Do you feel uncertain about how to share your Catholic faith with others, especially as society increasingly rejects religion? Why not follow examples from the scriptures and saints to guide you? We talk with Kevin Cotter, who has tips for becoming a daily disciple in a hostile world.

Some people, in an effort to discredit the Catholic Church, allege that Hitler was a practicing Catholic. Others allege that he was an atheist. Neither of these claims is accurate. So what was Hitler’s religion? How did his understanding of spirituality and philosophy shape the worldview that led to such atrocious crimes against humanity? We’ll talk with Richard Weikart.

On August 19, 1934, Adolf Hitler – already Chancellor of Germany – was elected president. It was an unprecedented consolidation of power in the short history of the republic. In the decades since his rise to power, Hitler’s personal beliefs have been the subject of much study and debate. Al discusses more.

On August 9, five pro-lifers filed into a federal courtroom to face charges stemming from a rescue they conducted in October 2020. Monica Miller updates us on their trial along with defendant Will Goodman.

Last month doctors transplanted a genetically-modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient, and as of last week the new organ is still working. The patient has been maintained on a ventilator and given fluids to sustain his body. This case presents significant bioethical concerns, especially regarding the meaning of brain-death. Dr. Steve Doran helps us understand.