Today on Kresta - June 27, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on June 27

4:00 – Brutal beheading: Afghan terror advances ahead of President Obama’s pullout plan
Afghans are warning of dire consequences for the country’s tiny Christian population should American forces leave Afghanistan, as President Barack Obama announced last week. “If U.S. troops are not in Afghanistan the Taliban will come to power,” said Obaid S. Christ, an Afghan Christian exiled to India. “We will have the same situation we had in the 1990s when the Russians left Afghanistan, when we had civil war and millions killed.” Mindy Belz has been reporting on Afghanistan for WORLD Magazine and is here to discuss Christians in Afghanistan.

4:20 – The Fight is On: Planned Parenthood Files Lawsuit to Open Abortion Clinic
Planned Parenthood of Mid-and South Michigan has filed a law suit in Oakland County, MI to challenge the deed restriction that has thus far thwarted the abortion provider’s plans to open a 17,000 square-foot clinic in Auburn Hills, MI. When the owners of an adjacent hotel discovered that the real purchaser of the property was Planned Parenthood and that the building would become an abortion clinic—they sought to enforce the deed restriction—a restriction that was originally designed to protect their own property investment. Monica Miller is here to fill us in on the details.

4:40 – “Leonie”
In late 1800s France, Leonie Martin is a young bourgeoisie woman with a difficult nature who causes great emotional stress and suffering for her mother Zelie. Leonie wreaks havoc with the religious superiors in the monasteries she tries in vain to enter. Her extreme emotional outbursts and stubborn nature begin to ease when she meets and befriends a caring younger nun Sister Jeanne Marguerite. It’s the story of the sister of St. Therese and is now a feature film. Executive Director Barb Middleton is here to discuss it.

5:00 – Canon Law and the Process for Priests Accused of Abuse
In the last 10 days, a bright shining spotlight has been shone on the “process” of what happens when a priest is accused of abuse or impropriety. Canon lawyer Michael Dunnigan is here to discuss the “process” and the role that canon law plays.

5:40 – Cardinal Newman Society and Mount St. Mary’s University: Partner to Promote Renewal of Catholic Campuses
Effective July 1, the Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education, a division of The Cardinal Newman Society, will relocate to Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, under the leadership of Rev. Msgr. Stuart Swetland. Established in 2008, the Center supports mission-centered teaching, policies and programs at Catholic colleges and universities, according to the Vatican constitution, Ex corde Ecclesiae. The Center’s recent projects include Assessing Catholic Identity, a handbook to help college leaders evaluate their institutions, as well as several studies helping colleges defend against threats to their religious liberty. We talk with Msgr. Swetland.

5:50 – EWTN Family Celebration
Take a weekend off to spend time with your EWTN family at the EWTN Family Celebration in Birmingham, Alabama! This year, on July 23rd and 24th, you’ll have the chance to meet your favorite hosts and Friars at the Family Corner, visit your favorite Catholic authors, AND kids can have a blast at EWTN’s Faith Factory! Michael Warsaw is here to discuss the details.