Today on Kresta - June 22, 2010

Talking about the "things that matter most" on June 22

GUEST HOST: PATRICK COFFIN

4:00 – As “The Pill” Turns 50, the FDA Stands Ready to Approve Another Abortifacient “Emergency Contraceptive”
Human Life International has announced the launch of HLI America, a new initiative aimed at confronting contraception and the culture of death throughout the United States. The new initiative comes as we look back on 50 years of the birth control pill and as the FDA appears set to approve another abortifacient “emergency contraceptive.” HLI America will highlight what is true in both our personal lives and on the world stage – namely that “protecting life begins at home'. Led by Jenn Giroux, HLI America will bring Americans the truth about human life, the beauty of children and the devastating and harmful effects of contraception in America. Jenn joins us to explain.

4:20 – Closing Arguments Heard in Prop 8 Challenge
Backers of California's Proposition 8 said in closing arguments last week, the court should reject a legal challenge to the state's ban on same-sex marriage. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, an open homosexual, will render his decision later this summer. California voters approved Proposition 8 in November 2008, months after the state Supreme Court ruled a state law banning same-sex marriage violated the state constitution. Bill May was in court for the trial and offers his analysis of the proceedings.

4:40 – Feast of St. Thomas More – Patron of Politicians
June 22 is the Feast of one of our greatest saints: Thomas More. Thomas was one of the most gifted men of his day. He entered Oxford at about age 15, was a brilliant scholar, writer, and lawyer, was fluent in Greek, Latin and French, was schooled in mathematics and was an accomplished musician. But he is, of course, best known for his martyrdom at the hand of Henry VIII. His crime? he bore witness to Christ's revelation that a valid marriage could not be dissolved and that the Church of Christ must not be divided. Bert Ghezzi is here to discuss this man of God.

5:00 – Another Catholic University Fails a Litmus Test
Marquette University's decision to withdraw an offer to Jodi O'Brien, a self-described "sexuality scholar" to become Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the Jesuit-led institution continues to divide the faculty. Although Ms. O'Brien reached a settlement with the University last week, her supporters maintain that she is the victim of homophobia. Teachers who criticized the initial job offer say that Ms. O'Brien's sexual orientation is not what disqualifies her, but rather the fact that her publications disparage Catholic moral teachings on marriage, sexuality and the family. Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki has spoken openly on the Catholic identity of the school. We talk to Anne Hendershott who had a story on this controversy in the Wall Street Journal this weekend.

5:20 – Trends in Catholic Identity at Catholic Colleges and Universities
Founded in 1993, the mission of The Cardinal Newman Society is to help renew and strengthen Catholic identity in Catholic higher education. Today's Catholic university or college certainly can be authentically Catholic. However, the Catholic identity of many Catholic institutions of higher education in the United States has become increasingly clouded and the essential elements of Catholic education have been discarded for the sake of a mistaken notion of academic freedom. Many Catholic colleges and universities have pursued a secular model as the university ideal to a point where their own Catholic identity and mission within the Church is no longer clear. President Patrick Reilly is here to discuss the trends in Catholic identity at these schools over the last 17 years.

5:40 – Open Line