Today on Kresta - May 17, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on May 17

4:00 – Vatican Instruction demands equal dignity for Extraordinary Form
In a new Instruction, the Vatican has made it clear that the use of the extraordinary form—the traditional Latin liturgy—should be available to all the faithful. Universae Ecclesiae, released on May 13, follows up on the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum and clarifies the intent of Pope Benedict XVI. The Instruction says that the extraordinary should be given equal dignity in the Latin liturgy, and should be available whenever the faithful request it. Liturgical expert Fr. Peter Stravinskas explains.

4:20 – GOP Primaries: Huckabee / Trump Out – Gingrich In But Stumbling. What are Catholics Thinking?
Republicans are just beginning to assess the damage that presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has done to the GOP budget plan currently before Congress. On "Meet the Press" Sunday, Gingrich denounced House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan's plan to restructure Medicare, saying, "I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering.” Meanwhile, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump have announced that they will NOT be candidates for President. Catholic political analyst Paul Kengor is here to look at what this all means for 2012.

4:40 – Four Days Until The End of the World?
An American radio preacher gives the world as we know it less than a week to go. Harold Camping's Family Radio network, based in Oakland, Calif., has put up signs across the country warning of "Judgment Day May 21." Without support from churches -- which he says are ruled by Satan -- Camping gives mathematical formulas he says are encoded in the Bible as proof that on Saturday, believers will be "raptured" into heaven and the rest of mankind will endure torment and tribulation until God destroys the world Oct. 21. We look at Camping, the “rapture” and more.

5:00 – New Vatican Document on Sexual Abuse of Minors / Rights of Priests
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a circular letter “to assist episcopal conferences in developing guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by clerics.” All episcopal conferences will have until May 2012 to complete these guidelines, which will outline “clear and coordinated procedures in dealing with these instances of abuse.” What are the changes and emphases? Matthew Bunson, co-author of Pope Benedict XVI and the Sexual Abuse Crisis: Working for Reform and Renewal, is with us.

5:20 – Streetwalking with Jesus: Reaching Out in Justice and Mercy
For over two decades Deacon John Green's vocation has been ministering to inner city men on the margins of society in downtown Chicago. Green didn't set out to be another Dorothy Day or Mother Teresa, and would be quick to tell you he hasn’t become one. A product of middle class, church-going comfort and values, he heeded God's challenge to found Emmaus Ministries, which serves some of the modern-day lepers that are in our midst. Deacon Green's lessons learned regarding these hard questions are set against stories of men who struggle to escape poverty, addiction, and sexual sin while encountering Christ in the process. He joins us.