Catholic Nutshell News: Friday 11/21/25
Topics include: China’s ‘assault on religious freedom’; Dioceses face ‘devastating’ pension crisis; 2 in 5 American women want to leave US; & Newman Centers ‘staggering’ surge in conversions
Fridays, "Living that coconut kinda life."
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, Word on Fire, Catholic World Report, ChurchPOP, & Aleteia. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
Please support the following Catholic news services and spiritual support sites. Click here to view this email on the Catholic Nutshell News website. Today’s Catholic Nutshell News audio podcast is available on the Substack App.
Catholic News Agency
China’s ‘assault on religious freedom’ threatens U.S.
By Madalaine Elhabbal, November 20, 2025
The Chinese Communist Party’s “ongoing assault against religious freedom” has national security implications for the U.S., according to co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). Former Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, who served as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom in the first Trump administration, told the commission Nov. 20 that the United States needs to treat China’s religious freedom violations as a national security threat. Brownback cited a report listing 10 Catholic bishops detained by the Chinese government. “Ten Catholic bishops,” he said with emphasis, adding: “Do people even know they’re in prison?” Brownback called for China to be sanctioned by the Trump administration, pointing out the regime “has not paid a dime” for its religious freedom violations despite having been designated a country of particular concern (CPC).
The Pillar
Dioceses face ‘devastating’ Christian Brothers pension crisis
By The Pillar, November 20, 2025
Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, said he is “devastated” by a pension crisis affecting potentially dozens of American dioceses, which could leave longtime lay Catholic employees facing serious financial hardship in retirement. Bishops told The Pillar they are looking to find solutions — fast — after learning that diocesan pension plans administered by Christian Brothers Services are dramatically underfunded, and would take millions to get on track, and could leave tens of thousands of Catholic employees and pensioners facing benefit cuts. The diocesan pension plan was managed by Christian Brothers Services, a non-profit founded by a LaSallian religious brother. The Crookston plan, Cozzens learned, was funded only to 58% of its obligations — well below the threshold for a healthy retirement fund. Cozzens was told Christian Brothers will charge dioceses an extra $1 million a year for the next 25 years, to make up the deficit.
CatholicVote
2 in 5 young American women want to permanently leave US
By Hannah Hiester, November 20, 2025
Record numbers of young American women say they want to move abroad permanently. Gallup finds 40% of women aged 15–44 say they would live in another country if given the chance — more than double the amount of young men who say the same, and the largest gender gap Gallup has ever recorded. Young American women are far more likely to want to emigrate than their counterparts in other wealthy countries, and the desire to leave is significantly higher among those who disapprove of President Donald Trump. The shift began around 2016 and has accelerated, Gallup found. The percentage of young women wanting to move has quadrupled since 2014, coinciding with declining confidence in U.S. institutions, especially the judicial system. Married women and mothers are almost as likely as single women and those without children to say they would leave.
National Catholic Register
College Newman Centers report ‘staggering’ surge in conversions
By Jonah McKeown, November 20, 2025
Amid the many diversions of campus life, Catholic chaplains say unexpectedly large numbers of students at universities across the country — including many secular institutions — are expressing interest in the Catholic faith. It’s reached the point where many Newman Centers — named, of course, for the newest Doctor of the Church and patron saint of education, St. John Henry Newman — are almost overwhelmed by the response from young men and women on campus to their educational, recreational and sacramental offerings. “We’re in a golden age of campus ministry right now,” Father Ryan Kaup, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Newman Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), told the Register.
The Times of Israel
NYC synagogue protest calls for Jews ‘to be scared’
By Luke Tress, November 21, 2025
At a protest on Wednesday night at the entrance to a New York City synagogue, a masked demonstrator stood above the crowd and urged attendees to intimidate Jews. “It is our duty to make them think twice before holding these events,” he said, referring to a gathering held inside the synagogue by Nefesh B’nefesh, a group that helps Jews immigrate to Israel. “We need to make them scared! We need to make them scared! We need to make them scared,” he shouted, with the roughly 200 protesters in the crowd repeating each sentence in unison, a tactic the activists use to amplify their speeches without the use of a loudspeaker, which requires an additional permit. There have been more than 3,000 protests in New York City since the October 2023 Hamas invasion of Israel, but the Wednesday night demonstration at the Park East Synagogue was an escalation, highlighting the new normal for the city’s Jews, despite the ceasefire in Gaza.
Catholic World Report
Why Catholic doctrine on sexual morality cannot change
By Richard A. Spinello, November 20, 2025
Can the Catholic Church change her mind and teachings about sexual morality? No. Will the Synod further embolden those demanding change in the Church’s teaching on same-sex relations and other matters? In its preliminary report, the study group on controversial issues—including sexual morality—signaled its preference for a “paradigm shift” that prioritizes personal experience, discernment, and “contextual fidelity” to the Gospel, over a set of “pre-packaged” objective norms. In its second interim report issued last week, the group continued to talk about a “paradigm shift … in continuity with Vatican II” and labeled homosexuality as an “emerging issue” rather than a controversial one. These doctrines are not contingent on public opinion or the vagaries of personal experience. They have their foundation in the Sixth and Ninth Commandments and in other key texts of Sacred Scripture (such as Mt.19:1-12; Mt.5:27-28; Mk. 10:1-12; 1 Cor. 6:9; and Gen 1-3).
CRUX
Cardinal says situation on the ground hasn’t yet changed in Gaza
By Crux Staff, November 21, 2025
A peace plan for Gaza created by U.S. President Donald Trump and approved by the UN Security Council has not changed anything on the ground, according to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. On Monday, the Security Council endorsed the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” which establishes a Board of Peace and authorized the Board and Member States working with it to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza. The representative of the United States to the UN said the plan was “no mere paper promise, but a lifeline” for the Gaza Strip. Pizzaballa said, like all plans, it can never be perfect, “but it is what we have. It is the only plan that has so far halted the expansion of the war and can offer at least a glimmer of hope for the Palestinian population—and not just for them.”
Vatican News
Pontifical Commission for Vatican will allow ‘other members’
By Salvatore Cernuzio, November 21, 2025
Not only cardinals but also “other members” may serve as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and therefore laymen or women as well. This is established by a Motu Proprio of Pope Leo XIV, published on Friday, 21 November, which abrogates Article 8 of the Fundamental Law promulgated in June 2023, in light of governance needs that have become “increasingly complex and pressing.” Since 1 March 2025, by the will of Pope Francis, a religious sister, Sr Raffaella Petrini, has served as president of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and of the Governorate. She is the first woman to hold this dual role, which includes exercising legislative and administrative authority within Vatican City State. This modification opens the possibility that “other members” who are not cardinals—such as laymen and women—may lead the Commission.
Big Pulpit, CNA & ChurchPOP for 11/21/25
Big Pulpit
Tito Edwards Catholic site: November 21, 2025
The Big Pulpit website is a news aggregator that gathers quality insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide.
Usuarium: A New Era of Liturgical Research – Ælredus Rievallensis at Canticum Salomonis
Pope Leo XIV Receives Cans Of “Da Pope” Beer Brewed In His Honor – Ch. Rousselle at Aleteia
A New Edition of the Monastic Breviary from Farnborough Abbey – Gregory DiPippo at NLM
The Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple: Historical Origins – Catholic Vote
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — November 21, 2025
Catholic News Agency provides reliable and free up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the words of the Holy Father and the Holy See.
European Parliament discusses harms of surrogacy after EU condemns the practice - Nov 20, 2025 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - The European Parliament and the United Nations have officially condemned the practice of surrogacy following reports of human rights violations.
How to watch Pope Leo XIV’s historic live digital encounter with American youth - Nov 20, 2025 - By Tessa Gervasini - The Holy Father will hold a digital discussion with young Catholics amid the Nov. 20–22 NCYC, hosted by the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) on Friday.
Vance calls border security ‘humanitarian’ in response to Pope Leo XIV - Nov 20, 2025 - By Tyler Arnold - Vice President JD Vance called border security “humanitarian” in response to comments from Pope Leo XIV about immigration policy.
ChurchPOP Trending
ChurchPOP provides fun, informative, and authentically Catholic news and culture - November 21, 2025
Is Hell an Actual Place? Exorcist Unveils the Reality of Hell In Viral Shawn Ryan Video - During their conversation, exorcist Father Dan Reehil gives what the show believes is the scariest explanation of Hell you may ever hear.
Is Your Relationship Leading You to Holiness? 5 Signs of a Virtuous Christian Courtship - How can you tell if your relationship is on a healthy path—the kind God desires for you? This priest offers five signs to look for.
Beautiful: Singer Andrea Bocelli Celebrates Daughter’s Confirmation into the Catholic Church - “The Holy Spirit is a flame you will always carry with you...
Nutshell reflections for 11/21/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - November 21, 2025
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Catholic365
The message of salvation to all was prophesied in the OT
By Michael Haverkamp Jr., November 20, 2025
A purpose of some of the Mosaic laws was to set apart the people of Israel, to distinguish them from other nations as God’s specially chosen people. Sabbath observance, circumcision, and unclean foods all served this purpose (which is not to say it was the only purpose). God did not counsel the Jews to go and make converts of other nations; on the contrary, he advised them repeatedly in the Old Testament not to mingle with other nations, lest they succumb to their customs and abandon God’s laws. Yet God also spoke repeatedly in the Old Testament of a time when, through Israel, the message of salvation would be extended to all nations. That time has arrived. Jesus initially limits His disciples to preach to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 10:6), but after His Resurrection, He gives them (and us) the great commission:
Catholic Culture
At times, it is prudent to keep our heads down
By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, November 17, 2025
Reasonable fear recognizes threats in proportion to the danger. It impels us to flee or confront danger depending on the circumstances. At times, it is prudent to keep our heads down. At others, we courageously jump from the foxhole and charge ahead. Fear of suffering—fear of serpents, plagues, and other punishments—repeatedly brought the Israelites back to their senses as they wandered the desert. Jesus Himself dreaded the prospect of His Passion in the Garden, yet He courageously carried His Cross in obedience to the Father. He also describes the end times to help us persevere in the faith. A healthy and proportionate fear of the end times—and of our individual demise—keeps us “sober and alert.” One day we will stand before God for our Particular Judgment. The details of our life will pass before us, with God as our infinitely just Judge. There will be only two eternal destinations: Heaven (usually delayed by the purifying fires of Purgatory) and Hell.
Aleteia
The Catholic roots of Umbria’s olive-picking tradition
By V. M. Traverso, November 21, 2025
November is olive-picking time in many parts of Italy. In the central Italian region of Umbria, many olive groves open up to visitors who can witness this ancient farming practice. In some cases, visitors are even welcome to take part in this beloved centuries-old ritual that sustains one of the most recognizable products in the world: olive oil. The history of olive oil production in this region is deeply intertwined with that of local monasteries. Beginning in the 12th century, abbeys and monasteries began reviving olive orchards that had been abandoned after the fall of the Roman Empire and the consequent decline in Italy’s population. Monks from Umbria revived ancient olive groves and developed new ones to meet the growing demand for olive oil within and beyond the monastic community.
Word on Fire
Where have all the boundaries gone?
By Mark Bradford, November 19, 2025
The order that God established to sustain his creation is beautiful. It is a source of wonder, but when one or more of those steps are skipped—like the marriage part—or when lust drives a person to commit a violent and horrific crime against another, disorder occurs; souls and bodies are crushed. Since the introduction of in vitro fertilization in the late 1970s, there has been another kind of violent rupture in the natural order. Technology has placed itself between spouses and provided options for creating children to our specifications. Science has triumphed over the poetic in married love. Science presumes it can do a much better job. The most important question we should be asking with all these developing reproductive technologies is who sets the boundaries around science that hold researchers accountable to ethical standards and the common good.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
Listen to an audio podcast of today’s Catholic Nutshell News on the Substack App!
At the top of your phone, while in the app and reading a post, you can press the ▶️ play button and have Catholic Nutshell News read to you every day …
