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CNN Sunday Morning

Pistorius; Brother Accused of Killing Woman; 28 Injured in Daytona Crash; Pope Benedict Gives Last Sunday Blessing; Author Asks: Why Have Priests at All?; The Dulling Shine of Oscar Gold

Aired February 24, 2013 - 8:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): From CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

Crash and burn -- this was the scene at Daytona Saturday that injured dozens of spectators and threatened today's race. We'll take you live to the track.

It's the final week of Pope Benedict's reign, but it comes with new questions about how he's really stepping down.

And it's Hollywood's biggest night. We'll talk about who's expected to go home with Oscar and who will have to be sleeping alone.

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HENDRICKS: I hope you're having a great Sunday so far. Good morning to you. I'm Susan Hendricks in today for Randi Kaye.

It is 8:00 on the East Coast. Thanks for starting your morning with us.

We begin now with the latest on Oscar Pistorius. He isn't the only one in his family accused of killing someone. Overnight, we learned his brother is charged in the death of another woman.

CNN's Nkepile Mabuse spoke with Carl Pistorius' attorney last hour. She joins me now from Johannesburg.

And, Nkepile, what did you learn from his attorney?

NKEPILE MABUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Susan, it's just another bizarre twist in this Oscar Pistorius story. Carl Pistorius, who is Oscar's older brother, charged with culpable homicide.

His lawyer tells me that this is in relation to an incident that happened in 2010 when Carl Pistorius collided with a woman on a motorcycle. We understand from the lawyer that this woman was injured immediately but she was taken to hospital and died several days later. Carl Pistorius' lawyer telling us that he has absolutely no doubt that Mr. Pistorius is innocent. He says that there will be fighting these charges in court and that his client is going to be appearing in March, Susan.

HENDRICKS: Makes you wonder if it will have any affect on his brother's hearing. I believe his next hearing is in June. We shall see.

Nkepile Mabuse, thanks.

We take to you now to Florida, to Daytona Beach, where 28 people were injured by flying debris after a big crash at the speedway. Here it is. The debris went up as high as 75 feet into the stands and even included a wheel assembly that weighed more than 100 pounds.

I want to bring back Joe Carter live from Daytona.

What's the update, Joe, from the track?

JOE CARTER, CNN SPORTS: Hey, good morning to you, Susan.

Yes, earlier, we reported three people were in the Halifax Medical Center in ICU. We got an update from a spokesman from Halifax, saying that the two patients that were listed in critical condition last night, those two patients have been upgraded and are no longer in critical condition.

Again, two patients listed in critical condition last night have been upgraded -- no longer in critical condition.

Joie Chitwood, the track president, saying that 28 spectators in all had to be hospitalized, 14 were treated at track hospital, 14 other spectators taken offsite to nearby hospitals.

It was a horrific, horrific ending to what was a great race, in the final turn, the final lap. You've got these cars running near 200 miles per hour, inches from each other's bumper. Then, it was a 12- car crash and a horrific crash where Kyle Larson's car was essentially launched into air.

The number 32 car ripped in half. His engine sheared through that iron fence and onto the concourse. A tire from Kyle Larson's car flew over the grandstand fence and into the stands. All 12 drivers remarkably walked away from this crash. Again, a nod to the safety of these cars. All 12 drivers were checked out at the track hospital and released under their own power.

You know, the track officials said that crews were working throughout the night and ended about 2 a.m., actually, fixing the track. They had to repair the fence. They had to repair the retaining wall, and of course, the pavement surface so they could get the Daytona 500 off today as scheduled.

It was supposed to be a 1 p.m. start. And right now everything is looking good as far as the track's concerned. There is weather that's coming through. There's a 60 percent chance of rain around race time.

So, as long as the weather cooperates, it looks like the Daytona 500 will start at the 1 p.m. scheduled start Eastern Time, Susan.

HENDRICKS: Yes, it's amazing. When you were talking, we continued to watch that crash on a loop. It's amazing that the drivers did walk away after you see the mangled cars.

CARTER: You know, a couple years ago -- obviously, this is the same track that Dale Earnhardt died on. After that crash back in 2001, there was a lot done to improve the safety of these vehicles. And that's a testament to how safe the vehicle actually is. When you look at Kyle Larson's car, the roll cage was the only thing keeping him safe. I mean, there was 45 minutes after the crash, Kyle Larson did a TV interview.

So, for him to walk away and do a broadcast interview, really incredible that those guys were able to stay safe in such a horrific crash, Susan. Yes, it's great that the condition of the fans have been upgraded.

Joe Carter, thanks so much. Appreciate that live report. We'll take you back for a preview of the race and more from Danica Patrick later this hour.

Well, we spoke about the weather regarding the Daytona 500. Getting to work tomorrow could also prove to be difficult in parts of the country because of icy roads. A snowstorm is targeting the Plains and the Midwest. It has dumped about two inches so far in the Denver area. The Northeast, too, also dealing with its third straight weekend of heavy snow.

I want to check back in with meteorologist Karen Maginnis.

How are things developing right now out there, Karen?

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, we've certainly been juggling a couple of these storm systems, one right after the other. And for three weekends in a row, as you mentioned, for Boston, yes, it's been the snow or heavy snow over the last couple of weeks.

This particular event not too much of a big impact. Mostly slippery roads. But a big storm system is expected to eject out of the four corners region. And for Denver and Salt Lake and for places like Santa Jose, into the western Great Plains, you are going to be walloped with some cases over a foot of snowfall with high winds, especially just to the east of Denver. Those winds could gust up over 60 miles an hour.

Well, we go in towards Tuesday and the exact position of this area of low pressure is going to be a little doubtful, at least at this point. But still looking at that triple threat, snow on the northern edge. An area we could see ice. And then, out ahead of it, in the warm sector, we could see some thunderstorms and the potential for severe weather. What about the snowfall? Well, you may remember Wichita collected about 14 inches of snow. Yesterday, we saw the incredible video from our iReporter of the heavy snow and ice that fell off her office building and she was lucky enough and safe enough to send us that iReport.

Well, coming up for Kansas and Nebraska, also into Oklahoma and the panhandles of Texas -- panhandle of Texas, we expect the snow to be heavy and blowing. What about those blizzard warnings, and winter storm watches and warnings all across the Front Range, into the Central Plains? We'll watch that. Watch out for delays.

And, Susan, as we heard mentioned at the Daytona 500, looks like a pretty good chance of some thunderstorms for the afternoon hours.

HENDRICKS: Yes, Joe said I think 60 percent chance. We shall see if it gets delayed at all.

It could happen. Karen Maginnis, thank you. Appreciate it.

Pope Benedict XVI gave his final Angelus prayer in front of a massive crowd this morning. He also included a personal message. He thanked the crowd for their affection and said he is not abandoning the church and he will take up a life of prayer and meditation to continue serving the church.

Our senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman is at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Ben, how did people react to the pope's final prayer today?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, many of them were visibly moved, Susan. We spoke, for instance, to one 30- year-old priest from Texas who said he had five years ago joined the priesthood inspired by Pope Benedict and that he was, indeed, saddened by it.

Many people expecting -- expressing a certain amount respect for the pope for making a decision that certainly shocked many people. He is, after all, the first pope to actually resign from the papacy in almost 600 years. But many see him as a man who tried to bring the church forward, who tried to achieve some sort of reform within the church.

Didn't necessarily succeed, but he tried his hardest -- Susan.

HENDRICKS: Ben, do we know anything more about the alleged scandal being talked about?

WEDEMAN: Yes. In fact, I had the opportunity today to speak to the two journalists who did these investigative reports that appeared in a Rome daily "La Repubblica", and "Panorama," which is a weekly news magazine here.

And what they're sort of pointing to is in addition to the fact that there is a network -- or there appears to be a network, according to these reports, of homosexuals within the Vatican who were being blackmailed by people outside the Vatican, it's also very much involved with the financial management of the Vatican and the possibility that information, critical information, was being withheld from the pope. And when he was presented with this 300-page dossier by three cardinals who he had assigned to investigate wrongdoing, when he saw the contents, this is what inspired him to resign -- Susan.

HENDRICKS: All right. Ben Wedeman, we appreciate that live report. And we're going to have much more on the Catholic Church in about half an hour.

We're going to hear from an author with a controversial question, why does the Catholic Church need priests at all? That's what he's asking.

Forced spending cuts just days away unless Congress acts soon. A look at how it could affect you.

And it is the night Hollywood waits for each year. It is here, it's tonight. We're going to break down some of the first for this year's Oscar nominees.

But, first, here's a look at a memorable Oscar moment. Remember this? It's Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's spirited speech after winning their first golden statue for "Good Will Hunting."

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HENDRICKS: Remember this awkward kiss from the 2003 Oscars? Adrien Brody was so happy to win for best actor, he planted his lips on presenter Halle Berry. Yes, he did. That was exciting right?

There may not be awkward kissing tonight. You never know, though. But there will be some Oscar firsts. For the first time, the oldest and youngest women, age 85 and nine, have been nominated for best actress.

Also a first, all five nominees for best supporting have won Oscars before.

Here's another fun fact for you: "Les Mis" is the first musical in a decade to be in the running for best picture. The last, though, was "Chicago", which became the first musical to win best picture in 2003. Can't believe it's been that long.

Joining me now to talk about more about Hollywood's biggest night are: radio and television personality Jacque Reid in New York; entertainment journalist Jawn Murray here in studio.

So, happy to have you here, both of you. Good morning to you both.

Now, I want to find out what both of you are looking forward to the most tonight.

Jacque, I want to start with you. JACQUE REID, RADIO AND TV PERSONALITY: Seth MacFarlane.

HENDRICKS: So am I.

REED: I was skeptical it was announced he was going to be the host. But when I saw him making the announcements of the nominees, he was so funny and great at that moment. I'm really looking forward to how he does on tonight.

HENDRICKS: I think he's a genius. He could do it all. He can sing. He can dance.

Jawn, are you excited?

JAWN MURRAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes, I think he's going to be a great perspective to the show. He's fresh. He's unpredictable.

I'm excited about the musical additions. They've added some really great talent to the show this season. Jennifer Hudson, Barbara Streisand. Shirley Bassey will make her --

REID: Shirley Bassey.

MURRAY: -- first ever Oscar appearance. So, that's going to bring a different perspective to the show. They're really trying to get a younger demographic and I'm excited about that.

HENDRICKS: So, Jawn, you're not going to miss -- yes? Go on.

REID: I was going to say, for the first time, they're not going to let the show end with the announcement of best picture, Seth MacFarlane and Kristin Chenoweth are going to do a musical number together.

MURRAY: Yes.

HENDRICKS: We're looking forward to that.

REID: We do.

HENDRICKS: I want to get in some prediction.

We start with best picture. Jawn, you start. What do you think?

MURRAY: I think "Lincoln" is going to take it.

HENDRICKS: You do? What about "Argo"? There's been buzz about that because of the Ben Affleck --

MURRAY: No, you know, it's one of those things where you can't really predict what the Oscar is going to do because it's an older guard. So, social media has been generating this momentum for "Argo" but I'm not sure that they're going to go, I think "Lincoln" will still take it.

HENDRICKS: Jacque, do you agree? What do you think?

REID: No, I disagree with my friend Jawn Murray. I think "Argo" is going to take it, even though Ben Affleck did not get best director nod, and usually best picture has to have a best director nomination with it. But I think because so many folks are pulling for him -- it's like the Cinderella story.

HENDRICKS: It is. He's come so far since "Good Will Hunting" and because he was snubbed --

REID: Yes.

HENDRICKS: -- his speech, thanking everyone. You've got to love him.

Let's go to best actor? Jacque, what do you think?

REID: I think it's a no-brainer. I think it's going to be Daniel Day-Lewis. I think for him, you know, making history here, becoming the first actor to have three Oscar wins. There are only eight other Oscars that have two Academy Awards and he'll be the one that will get to three first.

HENDRICKS: John, does Hugh Jackman have a shot tonight?

MURRAY: You know, people love Hugh Jackman. This won't be his last time to the rodeo but he's not going to win. It's all about Daniel Day-Lewis. It's all about "Lincoln", and this movie inspired Mississippi to amend that act and now African-Americans are free, slavery is no longer possible there. That's good news.

HENDRICKS: It certainly is.

Best actress, what do you think, Jawn?

MURRAY: You know, I think Jennifer Lawrence is still going to take it.

HENDRICKS: You do?

MURRAY: I do. The categories have been consistent from award shows, from the SAGs, to the Golden Globes. I think whoever won on the previous shows is going to win tonight.

HENDRICKS: Jacque, your take, best actress?

REID: I disagree. I think it's going to be Emmanuelle Riva from "Amour", because this is her year. Today is her birthday, of all things. Who wouldn't love to see that audition singing happy birthday to this woman that's been acting for five decades, who turns 86 today? She gave an amazing performance in "Amour" and it's just her night.

HENDRICKS: Jacque, what are you hoping to see tonight? Any surprise moments? I like the heartfelt speeches, but it always seems like they never give you enough time. They play the music as soon as you thank your first person. REID: They really do. I mean, I can't wait to see -- I think that Robert de Niro is going to win --

HENDRICKS: Oh, so do I. I'm hoping.

REID: -- best supporting actor. I think, you know, usually, he's not a big campaigner when he's nominated for a picture. But this year, he's really been going for it and he's been so emotional because his ties to emotional disorders. We also saw him cry on the Katie Couric show. I mean, it's just been an emotional display by him.

I'm looking forward to seeing him getting up there and give a speech.

HENDRICKS: You've got to give it to Robert de Niro when he cries, right? He's the best of the best.

MURRAY: Yes.

REID: Yes. How can you not?

HENDRICKS: Jawn, what are you hoping for?

MURRAY: I want to see who's going to have the leg out tonight. Will it be Angelina Jolie or will it be Jennifer Lopez? Who's going to have their leg out tonight? But I want to see fresh energy, some fresh talent. I want the Oscars to come alive.

HENDRICKS: Will either of you miss James Franco from two years ago?

MURRAY: Absolutely not.

REID: No.

MURRAY: James Franco won't miss James Franco from two years ago.

HENDRICKS: He's got a lot of flack for that.

MURRAY: He was asleep during that show. Thank God for Anne Hathaway.

REID: It's a hard show to do. It's a hard show. Again, it will be interesting to see how Seth MacFarlane does. I think he's going to do really well. But come on, let's give James Franco credit.

MURRAY: Yes, luck. But I think Seth will move it along, keep it going. I'm looking forward to it.

REID: Yes.

MURRAY: Jacque Reid and Jawn Murray -- thanks so much. Looking forward to tonight. Appreciate your time.

REID: Thank you, Susan. HENDRICKS: And tonight's Oscars will honor the best in cinema, as you know. But last night, how about this? At a Holiday Inn Express, the worst in film were honored, Jawn, it is true.

The annual Razzie Awards make light of bad action and awful films.. "Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2" nominated in most categories. It's the final installment in the "Twilight" series. It's based on the bestselling book. The film won for worst film in 2012.

Here are some categories, "Twilight" won -- or lost, you could say. Kristen Stewart won for worst actress. Taylor Lautner won for worst supporting actor. And Bill Condon for worst director.

What do you think of that?

MURRAY: I love the photos that we just posted with those categories. They really capture everything. To talk about a series going out with a bang.

HENDRICKS: Exactly, everybody loves those movies.

MURRAY: They love the movies, except for the critics.

HENDRICKS: That's what one in the Razzie.

MURRAY: Yes.

HENDRICKS: Jawn, thanks so much.

Now to something I guess we can call a coming attraction or a disaster film. It's the forced spending cuts we're talking about. We will tell you how the impending cuts could impact you.

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HENDRICKS: We head to Washington where the countdown is on towards a belt-tightening. I'm talking about the forced spending cuts that are scheduled to go into effect on March 1st, but only if the White House and Congress can't agree in a way to avoid them.

Now, the immediate effect is an $85 billion cut to federal spending.

CNN's Athena Jones takes a look at one of the consequences.

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KEISHA HARRISON, SINGLE MOTHER: Come on, let's go.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Keisha Harrison and her son Kyrie (ph) have been living in this emergency shelter for a year.

She's hoping to get help from the government to help pay for more permanent housing. HARRISON: I'm on a waiting list for public housing, section 8. I've been on the waiting list for four years.

JONES: If lawmakers can't stop forced spending cuts by Friday, Harrison and others like her could find themselves waiting much, much longer as funds for public housing are slashed by $300 million, and more than 100,000 families lose rental assistance, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

BARBARA SARD, CENTER ON BUDGET AND HOUSING PRIORITIES: It's not like we're in good shape today. The need -- the need for housing assistance is vastly outstripping the availability. This is going to make us go backwards and it's going to make the problem even worse.

JONES: Harrison's shelter is run by a nonprofit that gets some funning from donations. Critics of government housing programs believe they limit this kind of private sector support.

ALISON FRASER, HERITAGE FOUNDATION: We know there's very, very broad, robust research that says for every dollar government spends on sort of these kinds of programs, it actually crowds out 75 cents of private donation to charities.

JONES: After losing her job at a clothing store three years ago, Harrison has finally had success in finding a new one, at the Washington Nationals baseball stadium.

HARRISON: I'll be doing the promotion. I'll be the front entrance, you know, passing out t-shirts, key chains and stuff like that.

JONES: The position is part time, but she hopes it will lead to other jobs that will help provide a better, more stable life for her son.

HARRISON: I just want the best for him, you know? I just want the best for him.

JONES: One key to that is finding a more permanent home.

(on camera): The administration says fewer families will get foreclosure prevention help and communities won't be able to renovate and build as many affordable housing units -- Susan.

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HENDRICKS: Athena Jones in Washington -- thank you.

Coming up, the Catholic church is filled with ritual and tradition, but a Pulitzer Prize-winning author tells us why one tradition may be a big mistake.

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HENDRICKS: Welcome back to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Great to see you. I'm Susan Hendricks, in today for Randi Kaye. Bottom of the hour now.

Here are some stories we're following:

Las Vegas police have identified 26-year-old Ammar Harris as the suspect in a shooting and car crash that left three people dead. They have impounded his Range Rover they say was used in the shooting and the search for him continues this morning. Aspiring rapper Kenneth Cherry was shot as he drove his Maserati on the Vegas strip. He then crashed into a taxi which burst into flames. The cabbie and his passenger were killed along with Cherry.

Rapper MC Hammer is airing his grievances on Twitter following his arrest on Thursday. He is accused of obstructing an officer during a traffic stop. He says the arresting officer approached him by asking whether he was on parole or probation. He tweeted this, quote, "The only thing more dangerous than a scared man with a gun is a scared man with an agenda, a gun and a badge." MC Hammer calls the arrest an eye-opener. Police have until next month to decide on any charges.

Former Temptations singer Damon Harris has died.

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HENDRICKS: Harris was with the group when they won three Grammy awards. That will bring you back, right? "Classic Man" and "Papa was a Rolling Stone" were among the songs they sang together. Harris battled prostate cancer for more than 14 years. In 2001 he set up a foundation for cancer research. He was 62 years old.

A warning for bottled water drinkers, if that's you, the New Hampshire Department of Health says some bottles of Poland Spring water may be contaminated with gasoline. If you purchase a three or five gallon bottle around November of last year check their gasoline smell in that container. Poland Springs says the bottle may have been contaminated during Superstorm Sandy.

Now take a look at this. That's a sight to see. That is Europe's tallest active volcano, Mt. Etna, roaring up a storm this week. It erupted for the first time in a year spewing red hot lava and gas and lighting up Italy's evening sky.

Now for today's "Faces of Faith". With the Pope in his last days before officially retiring, the Catholic Church is in the spotlight especially the leadership including Italian reports of gay clergymen hiring male prostitutes, something the Vatican is denying. And a new report, a prominent U.S. cardinal protected priests from police after being accused of molesting children -- a lot going on there.

This may have some people asking, so why do we have priests at all? That is the subject of a new book by Pulitzer Prize winning author and Catholic Garry Wills titled "Why Priests: A Failed Tradition?"

Garry joins us now from Chicago. And also with us in Atlanta is Brent Strawn, a protestant, he's a theology professor at Emory University and an ordained minister. It's great to have you both with us. Garry I want to start with you, in your book you argue the institution of priesthood, you say it's a mistake. How so?

GARRY WILLS, AUTHOR, "WHY PRIEST? A FAILED TRADITION": Well, there were no priests in the original followers of Jesus. Paul does not call himself or anyone else that in his letters. The Gospels is called no one a priest but the Jewish priests. And of course, that's the issue.

The first followers of Jesus did have priest but they were the Jewish priests in the temple because the first Christians continued to go to temple and to synagogue and Paul came back and travels --

HENDRICKS: Do you think they have too much power, Garry? Do you believe they have too much power?

WILLS: Yes, they -- well, once -- once it was introduced, all of the gifts of the spirit that Paul talks about in his letters, readers, healers, exorcists all of those got collapsed into one priest and it was separated off from the Jews and from other kinds of Christianity. You know when Jesus sent out his disciples at first they came back and they said, things went pretty well except we came across somebody who is casting out devils in your name.

HENDRICKS: Right.

WILLS: And we told him to stop because he was not one of us. Well, the whole sacred priesthood of the Catholic Church has been telling other protestants, other Christians, stop. You're not -- you're doing it in his name but you're not one of us.

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HENDRICKS: All right, Garry, I want to bring in Brent really --

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WILLS: Therefore it's not something --

HENDRICKS: I want to bring in Brent really quick. You say priests are meant to be a mediator between people and God. Do you believe so? And how do you think this has gone wrong?

BRENT STRAWN, ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT, EMORY UNIVERSITY: Yes well I -- there's a lot in Garry's book that I appreciate, especially as a Protestant. The book has a lot of similarities with Protestant theology. But the word "priest" from the Latin term where we got pontiff even means bridge. And so the priest is a bridge between the divine realm and a human realm. Unfortunately it's often the case that -- that's been abused and that the priest has only represented the divine side of things and not represented the human side and sort of has been lording it over other people rather than serving them.

But in the best vision of the priesthood is that it's of service -- (CROSSTALK)

HENDRICKS: And Garry is it true you almost became a priest yourself? If so, what changed your mind along the way about priests?

WILLS: Well a number of things. I've been studying St. Augustine for the last three decades. And he's denied for instance that there is a special priestly power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. He said that makes no sense. We don't chew Jesus. We don't digest Jesus. The body of Christ is the church.

When he gave communion, he said, receive what you are, the body of Christ. And when Jesus offered bread at the last supper, it was his body that he was offering. He didn't say I'm here offering you this bread, but I'm really in the bread not here offering you the bread. It's a symbol of union.

But in the course of the Middle Ages the bread became God. It was carried around in procession. It was put in monstrance of benediction and people knelt to it, and adored it, completely divorcing it from the meal in which was it an interchange between the believer and the savior. So that's idolatry to treat the bread as God.

HENDRICKS: And Brent what do you say to that? And you said that you believe that the church needs leaders whether they're called priests or called something else.

STRAWN: Yes it was Garry notes in his book there is -- there are elders and bishops in the early church, lots of them. So even if we don't call them priests and Garry already said there's historical reasons why the early church didn't call their leaders priests because they were Jews, they had Jewish priest or they weren't from tribe of Levi or the temple was destroyed, et cetera. They still had leaders.

And whatever you want to call them, pastors or elders, or bishops, you still are going to have people with some sort of authority. And that can be potentially abused. But it can also be potentially used for good. The best -- the best vision of the priesthood and of ministry is one of service to others.

And -- and Garry knows that, too, as he speaks of in his book about the positive experiences he's had with great priests over the years.

HENDRICKS: Garry, what do you think regarding leadership and the church; would you like to eliminate all of it? Who do you think should run the church?

WILLS: No, of course not. No of course not. Everybody needs leadership and if a priest is just a leader and not the sacred monopolizer of the grace then that's fine. But we should have a number of leaders. You know when Paul addressed all of the ministries, not a priest he said the spirit is working through the whole body of Christ. You don't have just one leader. In fact, Jesus says, do not be called father. You have one father in heaven. Do not be called rabbi you have one teacher in heaven.

So all of the gifts of the spirit should be encouraged and -- and they were originally. Bishops were elected well into the fifth century. And when they went to councils, they were representing their people. In fact, when a bishop was chosen, he could never leave his people. That's why in the Middle Ages no bishop became a pope. He couldn't leave his people. Canons of cathedrals became hope, abbots of monasteries, nephews of aristocratic Roman families but no bishops because the people had chosen him and he was part of that community.

You know, today we have priests dropped in and out at the will of a bishop. We have no say in the matter of who our priests will be. That goes entirely against Augustine's view that the body of Christ is the people.

HENDRICKS: All right, Brent and Garry, thanks so much. I'm running out of time here. I appreciate your insight.

WILLS: Yes.

HENDRICKS: Both of you thank so much.

WILLS: Thank you.

HENDRICKS: And for more stories on faith, be sure to check out our belief blog, CNN.com/belief.

Next, if you haven't seen it yet, we're going to show you First Lady Michelle Obama's dancing skills. You don't want to miss it. It's got everybody talking.

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HENDRICKS: The First Lady can dance. First Lady Michelle Obama proving she is all about the "Let's Move" campaign. She did the sprinklers and the dougie. That was Jimmy Fallon right there in the pink shirt, pink sweater showing "The Evolution of Dance for Moms". Michelle Obama's got the moves.

While Michelle Obama is all smiles with Jimmy, it's a different story back in Washington. The countdown is on to $85 billion in forced spending cuts that will kick in on March 1st if Congress and the President can't make a deal. No one will be dancing.

STATE OF THE UNION host Candy Crowley is in Washington this morning. Candy what's at stake here?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN HOST, STATE OF THE UNION: Well, it depends on who you listen to. You have some folks on the Republican side saying, this is not going to be the disaster everyone says it's going to be. On the other hand, we have had nothing but a stream of scenarios coming out of the administration, including the FAA saying oh flights are going to be delayed because we have furlough some -- some of the control operators in the tower.

You've had people say, we're not -- we're going to have close down some meat processing plants because there won't be, you know, inspectors have to be furloughed. We can't send a carrier to the Persian Gulf, et cetera, et cetera. So, there -- there are consequences. There will be consequences. It won't happen right away, which says to me that in that window between March 1st and when things really start affecting the public, there will be room to kind of try to figure something out.

But I don't think they're going to figure anything out between now and March 1st. I can pretty much tell you that.

HENDRICKS: Yes, because it's this Friday. Is President Obama agreeing, that yes, it will have that trickle-down effect?

CROWLEY: Well it's his administration that's putting out all of -- all of these scenarios, including the one from the Transportation Department. So yes, we're hearing from the education secretary about the hard-hit areas should they have to cut some funds that go to underserved schools, et cetera. So no, this is -- this is very definitely the administration's ways of pressuring the Republicans in Congress. And you heard the President, he says all the time, well, gee, they'd rather, you know, protect those rich folks rather than, you know, the middle class.

So we're hearing the same arguments just about a different -- a slightly different budget subject.

HENDRICKS: All right, Candy Crowley I appreciate it thank you. We'll see you in a few. Keep it here for STATE OF THE UNION with Candy it starts at the top of the hour 9:00 a.m. Eastern, 6:00 a.m. Pacific right here on CNN.

Well, when the Senate gets back to work this week they will take up the confirmation of Chuck Hagel, yes, again. On Tuesday they are expected to vote on whether that filibuster that has kept the full senate from voting on Hagel to be the new defense secretary. Republicans have blocked the vote and 15 of them sent a letter to President Obama demanding that Hagel's name be withdrawn.

New Secretary of State John Kerry hits the road today for the first time since he took over for Hillary Clinton. Kerry's 11-day meet-and-greet starts in England before taking him to other key allies like Germany and France as well. He will also stop at Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

North Korea is threatening, quote, "miserable destruction" ahead of routine military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea. Similar threats have been made by North Korea in the past. But these latest warnings come on the heels of the country's nuclear tests just two weeks ago. South Korea's military is already in heightened state of alert.

It's the Daytona 500 today and all the talk this week has been about one driver, that woman, Danica Patrick. We're going to take you live to the track.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HENDRICKS: It is the super bowl of motor sports, the Daytona 500. The race will go on today as planned, even after the speedway was the site of a horrific crash yesterday. "Bleacher Report's" Joe Carter is live in Daytona Beach with the latest. Joe, good morning.

JOE CARTER, BLEACHER REPORT: Hi, good morning to you Susan. Yes, as you said, the race is going to go on as scheduled, 1:00 p.m. Eastern start because crews worked through the night to repair the track, the fence and the retaining wall.

Yes, let's look at that crash again from yesterday. What a horrific end to that nationwide race. The number 32 car driven by Kyle Larson smashed into the fence. The entire front end of his car ripped off, including the engine that sheared through the fence. At least a dozen cars were caught up in that car but one driver who made it through was Tony Stewart. He won the race and afterwards talked about the crash.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY STEWART, RACE CAR DRIVER: I've never seen anything like that. We've seen Petty, you know, we've seen a lot of big ones here and I've been a part of a couple big ones here but I've never seen anything like that. That was -- that's were times when I wish didn't have a rearview mirror because that was an ugly sight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARTER: Now Danica Patrick also missed out on that big wreck and that's because she had other problems. Early in the nationwide race she did the dreaded walk through the garage after her car lost power. Now, today she'll be back out on the track. She'll be racing with her cup series car. She'll be on the pole for the Daytona 500 where she says she's ready to open it up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANICA PATRICK, RACE CAR DRIVER: As Tony said, I can go out there and treat it like a video game and just get after it and give it all I've got and not have to be concerned about, you know, being smart and taking care of the car. I mean can I win? Yes, absolutely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARTER: And finally, talk about girl power. We previewed this fight for you yesterday. Last night Ronda Rousey remained undefeated by beating Eliz Carmouche in the first ever all women's match up in UFC history. Carmouche got a few good shots in early in the first round but Rousey came back and put her in a submission move to get the win. Ronda Rousey 7-0 all time in MMA fights.

For more on her and all your entertaining sports news, of course, go to bleacherreport.com.

And again back to Daytona 500, Susan. It looks like the only hurdle we're going to have to get over her to get this race out on time is a big weather system that's moving towards us about race time. We're looking at about a 60 percent chance of showers. Nascar will not let its drivers run if there's any wet track out there for them. So that's a concern obviously of ours as we head forward -- Susan.

HENDRICKS: Yes. We're crossing our fingers they don't have to deal with that as well. Joe Carter thanks.

CARTER: You bet.

HENDRICKS: It's time now to get you ready for the week ahead. Come with me. On Monday it's a big day. BP's civil trial is set to begin. If the oil giant is found guilty of gross negligence of the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill, the company could face roughly $20 billion in fines. There it is.

And defensive linemen, how about this, and linebackers are being evaluated in front of the NFL; coaches, general managers and scouts leading up to the draft. Manti Te'o's girlfriend, that hoax, it will be a factor in the NFL draft evaluation we're hearing.

And Wednesday now, there is a hearing on the assault weapons ban. The senate judiciary committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. time consider whether or not to reinstate the ban on assault weapons.

There we go. All right.

Now we're on to Thursday. Pope Benedict will hold a meet and greet with cardinals before stepping down at that evening. He'll then begin his retirement in a summer residence before he withdraws to a monastery being built for him in Vatican City.

And Friday, it's a big day as well, March 1st. Those forced spending cuts are scheduled to kick in, cutting $85 billion from federal agencies over the next seven months.

And also a big day on Friday -- there we go. Space-X prepares for its second flight to the International Space Station. The launch is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. Eastern at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, again, on March 1st.

Well, you know, the Oscars are tonight but after all of this build-up, does it even matter who wins? Just in case, Dean Obeidallah is practicing his speech. He joins me next.

Here's a look at memorable Oscar moments for you. Remember this -- it's Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's first win for "Good Will Hunting". Loving that job.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: From the Golden Globes to the SAG Awards and entirely too many luncheons and statuettes to count. It feels like award season has long worn out its red carpet welcome, to some. And we're still hours away from the biggest of them all, the Academy Awards.

Comedian Dean Obeidallah joins me now from New York. And Dean, I guess from your article on cnn.com that you're over the Oscars. What's your problem with the Oscars? Why do you hate them so much?

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, POLITICAL COMEDIAN: I don't hate them. It's actually the opposite. I actually appreciate them. I appreciate the people who make the Oscars happen. And to be honest, if I won an Oscar -- if I won one of these Susan -- this is a fake one --

HENDRICKS: You'd show up.

OBEIDALLAH: I would not only show up, I would bring it to me everywhere. I would talk about it. I would have a pin, "ask me about my Oscar". I would get a tattoo on my neck of an Oscar.

However with that said, to be honest besides the thrill of winning as I talk about in detail in my article, the Oscar Gold has lost its luster in various areas that are tangible and credible ways. So I hope people look at my article on cnn.com to see exactly what I'm talking about.

HENDRICKS: So do you think that the winners care if they win? They seem to care. They're very excited about it. Oscars, Golden Globes, you name it, they love the awards.

OBEIDALLAH: Right. Of course they do. And they deserve it. Although two days ago, Ethan Hawke -- the actor came out calling it a fraud and asinine. There are some people within the industry who think it's a waste of time.

I think, you know, it's a lot of hard work and getting to the point of actually winning an Oscar in front of the camera work or behind the camera work, you deserve it. It's a tough road. Believe me, I know, I have a lot of friends who are actors and actresses. It's a tough road -- and filmmakers.

So for them personally, yes, it means a great deal and no one should take that away from them at all.

HENDRICKS: Yes, I think it's a celebratory way to celebrate what they've done. They no longer say the winner goes to, they say the Oscar goes to because there are no losers in this. What are you looking forward to tonight? Anything in particular?

OBEIDALLAH: Yes, I think Seth Macfarlane is very funny, he's the host of the Oscars this year. Although I think the funniest thing will be when Russell Crowe tries to sing a song from "Les Miserables". If you saw "Les Miserables" Russell Crow is not a good singer. Don't sing Russell -- lip sync. Follow Beyonce's lead from the inauguration. Lip sync a song don't sing for us. Please.

HENDRICKS: That's not true. Russell Crowe is not singing is he?

OBEIDALLAH: He is. He's part of the cast of "Les Miserables" and they're singing apparently a medley of songs. You know, good actor -- not the best singer.

HENDRICKS: So Seth Macfarlane, you're looking forward to what he has to offer. He can sing, he can dance, he could do it all. OBEIDALLAH: He can. I don't know if he can dance. But he's a talented guy. And the Oscars need help. I mean ratings are down. They slid over the last few years. To put it in perspective, in 2000 almost 50 percent of the people watching TV were watching the Oscars. By 2012 only 34 percent of people watching TV watched the Oscars.

So it needs a little boost. And all these award shows, like you have talked about at the top Susan, they've hurt the Oscars. There's no more surprise.

HENDRICKS: So how would you fix it, if you could? Get in on those Oscar meetings, what would you suggest?

OBEIDALLAH: First, give me one of these. That changes everything. America would tune in, like who is this idiot getting an Oscar?

HENDRICKS: Wait a minute. At first I thought you didn't like them. Now you want your own.

OBEIDALLAH: No. I want my own. No, no. Don't get me wrong. I'm not bad-mouthing the Oscars or filmmaking or people who win it --

HENDRICKS: Who would you thank -- Dean Obeidallah, who would you thank if you win an Oscar?

OBEIDALLAH: You, of course, you. Randi Kaye who's not here this week. Don Lemon who is sweet every Saturday night, my parents, my girlfriend --

HENDRICKS: Ok. We're out of time, we're out of time. The music -- cue the music. Dean Obeidallah thank you.

OBEIDALLAH: All right. Nice seeing you.

HENDRICKS: I'm Susan Hendricks. Thanks so much for watching today. "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley starts right now.