Today on Kresta - June 30, 2009

Talking about the "things that matter most" on June 30

3:00 – Examining the Sarcophagus of St. Paul
Scientific tests prove bones housed in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome are those of the apostle St. Paul himself, according to Pope Benedict XVI. "Tiny fragments of bone" in the sarcophagus were subjected to carbon dating, showing they "belong to someone who lived in the first or second century," the pope said in a homily carried on Italian television. "This seems to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition that these are the mortal remains of the Apostle St. Paul," Benedict said in Sunday's announcement. The tomb also holds traces of a precious linen cloth, purple in color and laminated with pure gold, and a blue colored textile with linen filaments. We talk about this find, the significance of the items that were found, what they mean, and the history of these locations in the life of St. Paul. Steve Ray is our guide.

3:20 – The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers
They were the greatest generation in American history. Yet how much do you really know about the Founding Fathers? And how much of what you "know" is actually myth perpetuated by leftist history by those who dismiss the Founders as wealthy, racist, sexist, dead-white-males whose principles deserve to be as dead as they are? In The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers, Dr. Brion McClanahan sets the record straight. He provides a neat summary history of America's founding documents, profiles all the leading Founders (and some unjustly neglected ones), and shows how they have better answers to today's problems than our politicians do.

4:00 – Kresta Comments - Michael Jackson: A Human Commodity

4:20 – The Year of the Priesthood
Pope Benedict XVI opened the “Year for Priests” last week in St. Peter’s Basilica. “Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests” is the theme for a year that ends on June 19, 2010 in St. Peter’s Square at a World Meeting of Priests. The year also marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, now patron of all priests. In a letter to priests, the Holy See stressed that the Church “is proud of her priests, loves them, honors them, admires them and recognizes with gratitude their pastoral work and witness.” We talk to Fr. Robert Barron about the significance of this year, the call of the priesthood, and the charism of the calling.

4:40 – Cardinal O'Malley pulls out of joint health care venture over abortion
After weeks of ethics discussions, the Archdiocese of Boston announced last Friday that the Church-sponsored Caritas Christi Healthcare has withdrawn from its partnership with CeltiCare Health Plan. The archdiocese said it was not possible to find agreement between the archdiocese-affiliated medical organization and the Missouri-based health insurer, which provides abortion and contraception. The joint venture was scheduled to start providing care on July 1st, but in a statement issued on Friday by Richard Lynch, chief executive of CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, said: "effective today, Caritas has withdrawn their ownership position in CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts. Celtic Group Inc.” We talk to Dr. John Haas of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, who advised the Archdiocese on this case.

5:00 – Iran, Iraq, Israel: What’s America to Do?
America, Israel and the world are facing a great danger in the Middle East. Iran’s president has threatened to wipe Israel off the map, while every day he gets closer to acquiring the nuclear weapons with which to make good on this threat. Gary Bauer believes that the enemies of Israel are the enemies of America. They are the enemies of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These enemies have drawn the battle line. If a line has to be drawn, then draw that line around both Christians and Jews. Gary will be speaking at the annual Christians United for Israel Washington Summit later this month and joins us to look at Iran, Iraq, the Middle East peace process and America’s involvement in all of the above.

5:20 – Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles with Jesus
You might reasonably wonder why anyone would shoulder a heavy backpack, grab a walking stick and hike across Spain. Whatever happened to planes, trains and automobiles? But Father Dave Pivonka knew that the Camino—the ancient pilgrim path to the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago—offered an opportunity to focus on God in the stripped-down environment typical of the religious journey known as a pilgrimage. Fr. Dave takes us along with him, eager to show that God wants to take care of you whether or not you can see down the road or, if tired and sore, you're tempted to quit. His Camino hike holds real lessons for our own life's journey.