Is the gestation and rescue of cryopreserved embryos through adoption morally licit under Catholic teaching, or does third-party implantation compromise the marital act? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Dr. Josef Zalot, Director of Education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), to continue their deep dive into the complex bioethical questions surrounding embryonic adoption.

Dr. Zalot and Dr. Craycraft analyze key theological arguments, including the Church's teaching in Donum Vitae regarding the reciprocal right of spouses to become parents only through each other. They weigh different moral perspectives—including critiques by Dominican bioethicist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco and counterarguments by philosopher Melissa Moschella—on whether adopting frozen embryos inadvertently fosters an IVF market or serves as an altruistic act of rescue for human beings facing eternal cryogenic suspension. Stream now to listen!

Is the gestation and rescue of cryopreserved embryos through adoption morally licit under Catholic teaching, or does third-party implantation compromise the marital act? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Dr. Josef Zalot, Director of Education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), to continue their deep dive into the complex bioethical questions surrounding embryonic adoption.
Dr. Zalot and Dr. Craycraft analyze key theological arguments, including the Church's teaching in Donum Vitae regarding the reciprocal right of spouses to become parents only through each other. They weigh different moral perspectives&mdash;including critiques by Dominican bioethicist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco and counterarguments by philosopher Melissa Moschella&mdash;on whether adopting frozen embryos inadvertently fosters an IVF market or serves as an altruistic act of rescue for human beings facing eternal cryogenic suspension. Stream now to listen!

Dr. Ken Craycraft hosts Driving Home the Faith, catching you up on what’s going on in the world, across the country and in our local Catholic community. 

Dr. Ken Craycraft hosts Driving Home the Faith, catching you up on what&rsquo;s going on in the world, across the country and in our local Catholic community.&nbsp;

Driving Home the Faith

Featured Interviews

The Moral Dilemma of Embryo Adoption: Josef Zalot on Bioethics, Gestation, and Moral Duty Part 2

How can Catholic families navigate modern culture’s commercialization of Halloween while properly reclaiming its rich spiritual roots as the vigil of All Saints Day? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Alan Migliorato, Florida business owner, co-founder of Adventure Catholic Leadership Training, and author of The Manly Art of Raising a Daughter.

Migliorato addresses both secular distractions and evangelical objections surrounding Halloween. He breaks down the authentic Catholic origins of All Hallows' Eve—from the Allhallowtide triduum (October 31 – November 2) to traditional practices like "soul-caking"—and warns against the dangers of occult involvement (such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, and fortune telling). Craycraft and Migliorato highlight practical ways parents can form their children in faith, such as dressing up as Catholic saints, avoiding modest or dark cultural traps, and ensuring that Halloween serves as a joyful precursor to the solemnity of All Saints Day rather than a substitute for it. Stream now to listen!

How can Catholic families navigate modern culture&rsquo;s commercialization of Halloween while properly reclaiming its rich spiritual roots as the vigil of All Saints Day? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Alan Migliorato, Florida business owner, co-founder of Adventure Catholic Leadership Training, and author of The Manly Art of Raising a Daughter.
Migliorato addresses both secular distractions and evangelical objections surrounding Halloween. He breaks down the authentic Catholic origins of All Hallows' Eve&mdash;from the Allhallowtide triduum (October 31 &ndash; November 2) to traditional practices like "soul-caking"&mdash;and warns against the dangers of occult involvement (such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, and fortune telling). Craycraft and Migliorato highlight practical ways parents can form their children in faith, such as dressing up as Catholic saints, avoiding modest or dark cultural traps, and ensuring that Halloween serves as a joyful precursor to the solemnity of All Saints Day rather than a substitute for it. Stream now to listen!

Reclaiming All Hallows' Eve: Alan Migliorato on Faith, Culture, and All Saints Day

What is the Catholic Church's position on the estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million frozen human embryos currently held in cryo-storage across the United States, and is embryo adoption morally permissible? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Dr. Josef Zalot, Director of Education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC).

Dr. Zalot discusses the moral and bioethical dilemmas surrounding in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cryopreservation. Examining key magisterial guidance—including the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's 2008 instruction Dignitatis Personae—Dr. Zalot and Dr. Craycraft break down why the Church strictly opposes creating or adopting embryos as a treatment for infertility or through surrogate arrangements, while leaving the broader question of rescue/prenatal adoption open as an unresolved matter of prudential judgment. They also explore the nuances surrounding married couples seeking embryo transfer for their own genetically related children, the debate among bioethicists over heterologous gestation, and the urgent call to cease embryonic production. Stream now to listen!

What is the Catholic Church's position on the estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million frozen human embryos currently held in cryo-storage across the United States, and is embryo adoption morally permissible? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Dr. Josef Zalot, Director of Education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC).
Dr. Zalot discusses the moral and bioethical dilemmas surrounding in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cryopreservation. Examining key magisterial guidance&mdash;including the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's 2008 instruction Dignitatis Personae&mdash;Dr. Zalot and Dr. Craycraft break down why the Church strictly opposes creating or adopting embryos as a treatment for infertility or through surrogate arrangements, while leaving the broader question of rescue/prenatal adoption open as an unresolved matter of prudential judgment. They also explore the nuances surrounding married couples seeking embryo transfer for their own genetically related children, the debate among bioethicists over heterologous gestation, and the urgent call to cease embryonic production. Stream now to listen!

The Frozen Embryo Dilemma: Dr. Josef Zalot on Catholic Bioethics and Embryo Adoption Part 1

How does authentic Catholic womanhood reflect the image of God, and how can the model of the Blessed Virgin Mary empower women to live with spiritual strength and daring love today? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Fr. Nathan Cromley, Denver priest, author, retreat leader, and founder of the Saint John Institute and the Eagle Eye Ministries.

Fr. Cromley previews the upcoming Cincinnati Women's Conference, themed "Strength in Spirit," hosted at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Reading. Addressing the unique cultural and spiritual challenges facing Catholic women, Fr. Cromley unpacks St. John Paul II's concept of the "feminine genius" and the call toward "disinterested availability"—an active, courageous surrendering to God's grace. He explores how Mary serves as the ultimate archetype of authentic femininity, balancing deep maternal strength with radical openness to the Holy Spirit. Fr. Cromley also discusses the complementary nature of leadership and followership within Catholic marriage, encouraging women to embrace their baptismal call to lead, heal families, and transform culture through heroic holiness. Stream now to listen!

How does authentic Catholic womanhood reflect the image of God, and how can the model of the Blessed Virgin Mary empower women to live with spiritual strength and daring love today? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Fr. Nathan Cromley, Denver priest, author, retreat leader, and founder of the Saint John Institute and the Eagle Eye Ministries.
Fr. Cromley previews the upcoming Cincinnati Women's Conference, themed "Strength in Spirit," hosted at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Reading. Addressing the unique cultural and spiritual challenges facing Catholic women, Fr. Cromley unpacks St. John Paul II's concept of the "feminine genius" and the call toward "disinterested availability"&mdash;an active, courageous surrendering to God's grace. He explores how Mary serves as the ultimate archetype of authentic femininity, balancing deep maternal strength with radical openness to the Holy Spirit. Fr. Cromley also discusses the complementary nature of leadership and followership within Catholic marriage, encouraging women to embrace their baptismal call to lead, heal families, and transform culture through heroic holiness. Stream now to listen!

The Moral Dilemma of Embryo Adoption: Josef Zalot on Bioethics, Gestation, and Moral Duty Part 2

In 2 playlist(s)

Driving Home the Faith

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips