Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - July 8, 2013

Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 8

4:00 – Kresta Comments
We play some callers to our “Kresta in the Afternoon” listener feedback line including one who says the laity cannot fix the problems in the Church – the Bishops have to. Al and Cardinal Wuerl (through some comments he made this weekend) respond.

4:20 – Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith)
The Holy See has released Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), the first encyclical letter of Pope Francis. The document is dated June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. It was introduced to the media at a press conference in Rome on Friday. The encyclical on faith was begun by Pope Benedict XVI, before his resignation, and completed by Pope Francis, who referred to the document as the work of “four hands,” suggesting that the encyclical represented the work of both himself and his predecessor. In his introduction, Pope Francis writes that Benedict XVI “had almost completed a first draft of an encyclical on faith.” He says that he “added a few contributions of my own.” Still the document is signed only by Pope Francis, and will be known to history as the 1st encyclical of the new Pontiff. We talk to theologian Dr. Eduardo Echeverria.

5:00 – Canonization approved for Popes John Paul II, John XXIII
Pope Francis has approved the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. Confirming reports that had circulated earlier this week, the Vatican announced Friday that the Pope had approved a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, testifying to the authenticity of a 2nd miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed John Paul II. That miracle fulfills the requirements for canonization of the late Polish Pontiff. In an unusual move, Pope Francis waived the requirement for a 2nd miracle in the case of Blessed John XXIII, clearing the way for the canonization of the “Good Pope John” who convened the Second Vatican Council. Vatican journalists speculate that the two Pontiffs could be canonized at the same ceremony, which would undoubted bring enormous crowds to the Vatican. The ceremony could take place before the end of this calendar year. We talk to Matthew Bunson.

5:20 – Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith)
The Holy See has released Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), the first encyclical letter of Pope Francis. The document is dated June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. It was introduced to the media at a press conference in Rome on Friday. The encyclical on faith was begun by Pope Benedict XVI, before his resignation, and completed by Pope Francis, who referred to the document as the work of “four hands,” suggesting that the encyclical represented the work of both himself and his predecessor. In his introduction, Pope Francis writes that Benedict XVI “had almost completed a first draft of an encyclical on faith.” He says that he “added a few contributions of my own.” Still the document is signed only by Pope Francis, and will be known to history as the 1st encyclical of the new Pontiff. We talk to Dr. Scott Hahn.

5:40 – Kresta Comments
We play some callers to our “Kresta in the Afternoon” listener feedback line including one who says the laity cannot fix the problems in the Church – the Bishops have to. Al and Cardinal Wuerl (through some comments he made this weekend) respond.