Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - March 6, 2013

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Mar. 6

4:00 – Kresta Comments

4:20 – Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society--Where We’ve Been, How We Got Here, and Where We Need to Go

In times of crisis, we are forced to reexamine our ways and ponder our future. It is in this framework that we need to consider our present economic plight and the charting of our path forward. In his penetrating analysis of contemporary society, Catholic scholar John Horvat focuses on the present crisis with great insight and clarity. He claims modern economy has become cold, impersonal, and out of balance. Gone are the human elements of honor and trust so essential to our daily lives. Society has discarded the natural restraining influence of the human institutions and values that should temper our economic activities. John joins us to look at how we go from a frenzied economy to an organic Christian society.

5:00 – George Weigel: On The Ground in Rome

“We are not ready to enter the conclave,” Cardinal Francis George of Chicago plainly told the Italian newspaper La Stampa today, adding, “I never felt that we would begin the conclave on March 11th.” The American cardinals are first in line among those who do not want to hurry the conclave, and they are not alone. George Weigel is in Rome and joins us today to look at the mood of the Cardinals, the discussions being held and the needs of the Church.

5:20 – ‘Health Care Conscience Rights Act’ introduced in House

Yesterday US Representatives Diane Black (R-TN), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and John Fleming, M.D. (R-LA) held a press conference to announce the introduction of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (HCCRA). This legislation would protect Americans’ First Amendment rights and would stop the Obama Administration’s assault on religious freedom. HCCRA offers reprieve from ongoing violations of our First Amendment, including full exemption from the Obama Administration’s Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate and conscience protection for individuals and health care entities that refuse to provide, pay for, or refer patients to abortion providers because of their deeply-held, reasoned beliefs. HCCRA has 50 original co-sponsors. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry joins us.

5:40 – Popes Who Resigned: Benedict XVI and 13 Other Popes Who Retired (Or Were Deposed) 

On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI shocked Catholics and the world by announcing that he would resign from the papacy. It was the first papal resignation in 600 years, and it has caused Catholics the world over to scramble for answers. Now, in Popes Who Resigned, Thomas Craughwell answers those burning questions. He joins us.