Center for Health, Ethics and Social Policy
President of the Center for Health, Ethics and Social Policy; former president of Catholics for Choice
PROFILE
Frances Kissling
Guest
FROM Frances Kissling
To the Point
Pope Francis Expands Forgiveness for the "Sin of Abortion" Pope Francis says priests can forgive women who've had abortions, considered a grave sin by the Catholic Church. Over the next Holy Year, women who repent and confess can be absolved by any ordained priest. Reformers within the church see this as an olive branch in the divisive debate over abortion. Conservatives are framing it as nothing more than a bolstering up of the power of priests. Frances Kissling is the president of the nonprofit Center for Health, Ethics and Social Policy and a former president of Catholics for Choice . Photo courtesy of the Catholic Church of England and Wales
To the Point
How Will Pope Francis Change the Catholic Church? Since Pope Francis was elected in March, he has challenged the Roman Catholic establishment, using words like “obsessed” and “narcissistic.” Instead of abortion, gay marriage and contraception, he’s emphasized social justice and the plight of the poor. But he hasn’t changed a word of church doctrine. Is he a liberal poised to come out of a theological closet—or a master of public relations, who can make hard teachings go down easy? He’s already an immensely popular figure worldwide. Will he change the church in America—and why should non-Catholics care? Pope Francis comes from Argentina. He’s the first non-European ever to preside over the Vatican. In just 7 months, he’s made a host of controversial statements in interviews with reporters—and he’s become hugely popular with Roman Catholics all over the world. We’ll hear a variety of opinions about his style, his doctrine—and his potential influence worldwide and here in America.
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
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
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
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?