Today on Kresta in the Afternoon - February 23, 2012

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Feb. 23

4:00 – Where a Utopian Vision for Catholicism in the World Meets Reality: A Debate
From poverty to economics, pro-life activities to minimum wage issues, nuclear weapons to border control, third-world debt to a balanced budget amendment, Catholics must contribute to the public discourse. Much of this rests, however, on prudential judgments based on a well-formed conscience. Sometimes the rub comes when a utopian vision of how the world would be if Catholic Social Teaching reigned without objection and fitting that vision into the realities of the world we live in. Max Torres and Tony Magliano debate it.

5:00 – Iran court convicts Christian pastor convert to death
A trial court in Iran has issued its final verdict, ordering a Christian pastor to be put to death for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity, according to sources close to the pastor and his legal team. Supporters fear Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old father of two who was arrested over two years ago on charges of apostasy, may now be executed at any time without prior warning, as death sentences in Iran may be carried out immediately or dragged out for years. It is unclear whether Nadarkhani can appeal the execution order. Paul Marshall, Senior fellow in the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute looks at the case and the larger issue of Sharia Law.

5:40 – National Day of Protest Against the HHS Mandate
Religious leaders across the country have been speaking out against the HHS Mandate, including every Catholic bishop, and numerous lawsuits have been filed by Catholic institutions. Contributing on the side of grassroots activism is a Rally for Religious Freedom. On March 23 at Noon, concerned citizens will gather outside federal buildings in cities across the United States to rally in defense of religious freedom and stand up against the HHS Mandate. One of the organizers, Monica Miller, is here to discuss it.