Today on Kresta in the Afternoon - February 15, 2012

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Feb. 15

4:00 - Kresta Comments

4:40 – Vatican Holds Worldwide Conference on Sex Abuse Crisis
Conceding that church officials in various parts of the world often adopted tough policies to fight child abuse only in response to negative media coverage, the Vatican’s top doctrinal official last week called for a “more proactive” approach. It was a worldwide conference in Rome sponsored by the Vatican to address the sex abuse crisis. Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons, consultant to the Congregation of Clergy addresses what was said and NOT said at the meeting.

5:00 – Obama and the Dictatorship of Relativism
If there was ever any doubt about one of the Obama Administration's key philosophical commitments, it was dispelled on Jan. 20 when the Department of Health and Human Services issued its now famous mandate. It's not a question of the administration being tragically "tone deaf" as one American Jesuit claimed, to specifically Catholic concerns. Nor is the bedrock of President Obama's position, in the end, a commitment to "women's health." No, this is all about the absolutization of choice for the sake of choice. It's also about creating a society in which any discussion of the actual ends we choose is considered unacceptable in public debates about law and morality. Sam Gregg makes the arguments.

5:40 – Cardinal-Elect Dolan: A Leader
As Cardinal-elect Dolan is in Rome preparing to be elevated to Cardinal this weekend, Fr. Robert Barron is here to discuss his leadership in general and his boldness in opposition to the HHS Mandate.