Professor of the History of the Church, Oxford University
Author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years and Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford in England
PROFILE
Diarmaid MacCulloch
Guest
FROM Diarmaid MacCulloch
Which Way, L.A.?
Sex Abuse, Celibacy and Politics in the Roman Catholic Church The US Conference of Catholic Bishops supports universal healthcare, but took a stand against the Senate bill on the grounds that it might allow federal money to subsidize abortions. It turned out that many pro-life members of Congress were listening to other voices. Some 59,000 Catholic nuns, 600 Catholic hospitals and 1400 Catholic nursing homes all endorsed the bill that President Obama signed into law today.
To the Point
Sex Abuse, Celibacy and Politics in the Roman Catholic Church Sexual abuse by priests has cost the Roman Catholic Church both members and money in the US. An avalanche of cases in Europe could cost even more. The Church blames the secularization of western culture, but even the Cardinal of Vienna has questioned the issue of priestly celibacy . Pope Benedict XVI's apology to the faithful in Ireland has left many frustrated and angry. Is the Vatican out of touch with the needs of women and children? American nuns defied the Conference of Catholic Bishops to support healthcare reform. Is there a crisis of confidence in a hierarchy run solely by men?
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To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.