Kresta in the Afternoon - February 1, 2010

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Feb. 1

4:00 – They're Back: Dissenters Form The American Catholic Council
Claiming that they are attempting to address the “serious deterioration of the US Church today,” organizers of a new Catholic reform organization are planning a national conclave in 2011 called the American Catholic Council. In what is being billed as a kind of off-site Vatican Council, the proposed gathering promises “thoughtful discussion” of scholarly papers and presentations by Catholic theologians, scholars, and activists—all directed toward the goal of creating a new Church that is “fully in tune with the authentic Gospel message.” It’s called the American Catholic Council and is an attempt to resurrect the ashes of “Call to Action” along with many other famous dissident groups. Anne Hendershott has been researching the group and has a report for us.

4:20 – Voices of the Saints: A 365-Day Journey With Our Spiritual Companions
Catholics around the world rely on the Catholic saints for guidance and inspiration…so it's important that the saints and their stories be easy to find. Voices of the Saints by Bert Ghezzi provides readers with many convenient ways to look up 365 Catholic saints: chronologically, alphabetically, by feast day, even by theme. The saint's patronage is also listed when available, as is the date of beatification or canonization. The voice of each Catholic saint comes through clearly in quotations drawn from their own writings, the recollection of witnesses, and the careful work of biographers. A prayer or Scripture verse concludes each entry. We talk with Bert.

4:40 – Religion and Science: A Conflict or a Complimentarity?
In our regular semi-monthly segment with Fr. Robert Barron, we talk about religion and science. It comes up all the time. Science and religion are incompatible. They are at odds with each other. Fr. Robert Barron has recently met with Fr. George Coyne, former Vatican astronomer, and has some thoughts on the topic.

5:00 – Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's election as Pope Benedict XVI brought a world-class biblical theologian to the papacy. There is an intensely biblical quality to his pastoral teaching and he has demonstrated a keen concern for the authentic interpretation of sacred Scripture. Here a foremost interpreter of Catholic thought and life offers a probing look at Benedict's biblical theology and provides a clear and concise introduction to his life and work. Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn argues that the heart of Benedict's theology is salvation history and the Bible and shows how Benedict accepts historical criticism but recognizes its limits. Scott is here to explain how Benedict reads the overall narrative of Scripture and how he puts it to work in theology, liturgy, and Christian discipleship.

5:40 – After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion
In a volume sure to change how pundits and clergy think about religion in the contemporary U.S., prolific Princeton sociologist Robert Wuthnow assembles and analyzes a vast amount of data about the religious lives of Americans aged 21 to 45. His interests include the extent to which younger adults participate in organized worship, as well as how they think about spirituality, the relationship between religion and politics, and theology. Wuthnow insists that in some ways, today’s younger adults are similar to their boomer parents—the vitality of small groups, for example, is nothing new. But there are key differences, chief among them the tendency of today’s younger adults to remain single longer than ever before. Married people are significantly more likely to participate in religious communities; at the same time, participation in at least some religious groups may make marriage more likely. Wuthnow argues that our society provides lots of structural support for children and teens, but leaves younger adults to fend for themselves during the decades when they’re making crucial decisions about family and work. He is our guest.