Catholic Nutshell News: Friday 12/5/25
Topics include: Removal of gender ideology on forms; Kenyan children in consecrated life; White/Asian Democrats far less religious; & Artificial womb technology is called EVE
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)
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Catholic News Agency
Catholic bishops back Trump’s removal of gender ideology on forms
By Tyler Arnold, December 4, 2025
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has published a public comment that supports the removal of gender ideology within refugee resettlement forms for unaccompanied children. In accordance with President Donald Trump’s executive order “defending women from gender ideology extremism” and restoring “biological truth to the federal government,” the Office of Refugee Resettlement has proposed a change to forms that would replace the word “gender” with “sex.” The proposed change would require that the forms reflect the child’s biological sex as opposed to perceived identity. The form options will be limited to only “male” and female.” The bishops have “historically partnered closely with the Office of Refugee Resettlement to protect the well-being of unaccompanied noncitizen children while, in all respects, adhering to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the God-given dignity of the human person, created male and female,” citing Genesis 1:27.
aciafrica
Kenyan families urged not to burden children in consecrated life
By Nicholas Waigwa, December 4, 2025
Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya of Kenya’s Diocese of Bungoma called on families to allow their children who have embraced consecrated life to serve God freely, and urged parents and relatives not to draw the religious away from their primary commitment to the Lord. Some families place burdens, such as financial expectations, that interfere with their sons' and daughters' vocations to the consecrated life. “Allow these Religious to serve the Lord. You have handed them over. Leave them to their vocation. Let them live in peace,” Bishop Kadima said at the Christ the King Cathedral of his Episcopal See. He added, “Nephews and nieces, leave them alone as well. They have no money for school fees. Let them be faithful to the Lord.” Bishop Kadima urged the four sisters making their perpetual profession and the seven marking their silver jubilees always to embrace the spirit of gratitude, noting that it is by being grateful that one gets to “see the mercy of God.”
CatholicVote
White/Asian Democrats far less religious than Blacks, Hispanics
By Elise Winland, December 4, 2025
Democrats are significantly less religious than Republicans by several major measures, and the gaps widen sharply when race and ethnicity are factored in, according to a new analysis from the Pew Research Center. The study found that 52% of Republicans pray daily, compared with 35% of Democrats. 41% of Republicans attend religious services at least monthly, versus 24% of Democrats. Nearly half of Republicans (48%) say religion is important in their lives, compared with 28% of Democrats, and two-thirds of Republicans say they believe in God with absolute certainty—41% of Democrats say the same. Four in five Republicans identify with a religion, compared with roughly three in five Democrats. Among Republicans, 74% identify as Christian. 49% of Democrats identify as Christian. White and Asian Democrats report the lowest levels of belief, prayer, worship attendance, and religious importance, while Black and Hispanic Democrats report much higher levels on nearly every measure.
National Catholic Register
Kent’s new pilgrimage routes revive the Catholic England of Chaucer
By Edward Pentin, December 4, 2025
Geoffrey Chaucer, in his famous 14th-century foundational work of English literature The Canterbury Tales, noted the pilgrimage route from London’s Tabard Inn to Canterbury Cathedral, an enormously popular religious trek. Spurred on by personal devotions and the promise of spiritual rewards and miracles derived from St. Thomas Becket’s intercession, the 65-mile spiritual journey through Kent, where St. Augustine of Canterbury landed to evangelize the English in 597, was for many of the medieval faithful also a rare chance to travel, embark on an adventure, and meet people of a different class and background. Becket’s shrine in Canterbury Cathedral, destroyed by King Henry VIII in 1538, still sees pilgrims walk along that famous route, now known as the Becket Way. Two new 21st-century pilgrimage routes — the Augustine Camino and the Way of St. Augustine — opened in Kent, a county the size of Rhode Island that boasts an unusually large number of saints.
The Times of Israel
Israel paying price for ‘never-ending war’ amid Eurovision drama
By ToI Staff, December 5, 2025
Eurovision winner Dana International spoke out Thursday against the withdrawal of four European countries from the song contest over Israel’s continued participation, but in a Hebrew language message, blamed the government for harming Israel’s global reputation. In two Instagram posts — one in Hebrew, the other in English — the pop star expressed shock at the decision of Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands to quit Eurovision after European Broadcasting Union members voted not to halt Israel’s participation. “You no longer want us singing with you? Do you understand how violent and insulting that decision is? How much it adds only hatred and harm?” She added, “Hamas executes people for being gay. Almost every Eurovision winner would have been hanged in the town square in Gaza.” She called on Israelis to “speak up” to bring their country back into the world’s good graces.
Catholic World Report
Artificial womb technology (called EVE) confirmed in Japan
By Sandra Miesel, December 4, 2025
The EMMA system from Singapore-based EctoLife Sciences, even if just conceptual, alerts us that a post-womb world is no longer hypothetical. It has begun. On May 30, 2025, Japanese researchers at Juntendo University (Bunkyō, Tokyo) pulled back the curtain on their artificial womb technology (AWT) model. Dubbed the EVE therapy system, this artificial womb, after being successfully tested on goat fetuses for several weeks, proved its capacity to sustain the life (genesis) of mammalian fetuses—including premature babies—outside (ecto) a uterus. EVE’s conceptual grounding in the context of modern reproductive technology dates back at least one hundred years. In 1923, scientist J.B.S. Haldane formalized the concept of ectogenesis in modern biology—human embryos gestated entirely outside the body—and predicted that by 2073, over 70% of children would be born from artificial wombs. He etched a moral warning: the ethos of ectogenesis follows a power/peril metaphor represented by the legendary figure of Greek mythology, Daedalus.
CRUX
Leo cancels Holy See commission formed while Francis lay ill
By Nicole Winfield, AP, December 5, 2025
Pope Leo XIV has taken his biggest step yet to correct one of Pope Francis’s more problematic financial moves, canceling a special Holy See fundraising commission that was announced under questionable circumstances while Francis was hospitalized. Leo, on Thursday, formally suppressed the fundraising commission, abrogated its statutes, and fired its members. He decreed that its assets would go to the Holy See as a whole, and that the Vatican patrimony office would oversee the commission’s extinction. A new working group, with papally approved members, will be formed to develop fundraising proposals and an appropriate structure going forward, the decree said. The decree was the latest sign that, as 2025 ends, history’s first American pope is wrapping up the loose ends of Francis’s pontificate. Leo is correcting problems as needed and fulfilling Francis’s Holy Year obligations.
Related: Reorg: Leo XIV eliminated commission for donations to Holy See, Catholic News Agency, by Almudena Martínez-Bordiú, December 4, 2025
Vatican News
‘100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican’ exhibition December 8
By Kielce Gussie, December 5, 2025
The International Exhibition “100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican” will return for its 8th edition beginning on Dec. 8. Under the left colonnade of St. Peter’s Square, the inauguration ceremony will take place at 4 pm that day. Part of the cultural event series “Jubilee is Culture”, the exhibition features works by artists from around the world, each expressing their artistry through creative versions of Nativity scenes. 23 countries from across the globe will be showcased in 132 nativity scenes. Some include Croatia, Romania, Peru, Eritrea, and Taiwan. A wide variety of materials, such as Japanese paper, silk, resin, wool, coconut and banana fibers, and glass, have been used in nativity scenes. One has been designed on the front of an ATAC bus; another is made from a tannery drum. The exhibition showcases several mechanical nativity scenes and a large traditional Mexican rendition.
Big Pulpit, CNA & Zenit for 12/5/25
Big Pulpit
Tito Edwards Catholic site: December 5, 2025
The Big Pulpit website is a news aggregator that gathers quality insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide.
Final Considerations of the 2nd Study Commission on the Female Diaconate – Fr. Z’s Blog
Before & After: The Restoration of Belmont Chapel in Newport, Rhode Island – Liturgical Arts Journal
A Major Shakeup Of The Vatican Is Coming – Anthony Stine, Ph.D.
Why I Always Have & Always Will Call Myself “Catholic” Before “Christian” – John Mac Ghlionn
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — December 5, 2025
Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the words of the Holy Father and the Holy See.
Mexico City cathedral organizes ‘Guadalupe Night’ to celebrate Our Lady - Dec 5, 2025 - By David Ramos - The metropolitan cathedral of the Archdiocese of Mexico will host a special program to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 11, the eve of the solemnity of the Virgin of Tepeyac.
Former Maronite priest still presenting himself as a cleric, Denver Archdiocese warns - Dec 4, 2025 - By Jonah McKeown - Andre Mahanna, a former Maronite Catholic priest who gained a national profile as a commentator, fundraiser, and advocate for persecuted Christians is continuing to present himself as a priest despite having been dismissed from the clerical state for financial impropriety, the Archdiocese of Denver announced Thursday.
1 in 4 post-abortive women regret abortion decades later, study finds - Dec 4, 2025 - By Kate Quiñones - Authored by Father Donald Paul Sullins with The Catholic University of America and the Ruth Institute, the study found that 24% of post-abortive women in the U.S. “suffer from serious post-abortion distress.”
Zenit
Zenit - The world seen from Rome - December 5, 2025
Zenit is an international, non-profit news agency staffed by professionals and volunteers to transmit information with fidelity and service to the truth.
Faced with rising suicide rates among nuns and priests, the Catholic Church in India launches a ministry of healing and mental health. Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, who heads the association, said parish life cannot be pastoral if it ignores mental well-being.
Excommunication for traditionalist clergyman “ordained bishop” in the US without the Pope’s authorization. By admitting that he received episcopal orders without papal authorization or approval in March 2024, Anthony D. Ward effectively acknowledged the automatic excommunication that canon law imposes
The gunman who attempted to assassinate John Paul II tried to meet with Leo XIV in Turquí: what happened? On the eve of Pope Leo’s arrival in Istanbul, an unexpected figure appeared in the streets of Iznik: Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square in 1981.
Nutshell reflections for 12/5/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - December 5, 2025
Friday of the First Week of Advent
Catholic365
Jesus predicted that the times would be ‘as in the time of Lot’
By Tom Stidl, December 4, 2025
The Gospel readings for November and the beginning of Advent reflect on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in power and glory. Jesus described the conditions that will foretell his coming in glory. One of the conditions that Jesus predicted is that the times will be “as in the time of Lot.” One need only read the Jewish Testament about the conditions of Sodom and Gomorrah, described as complete depravity. In our modern age, it would be described as “woke.” Look at our modern-day sins with a biblical view. We have all heard of the “trans” movement and accepted homosexual relationships. Men want to be women and women want to be men, even to the point of mutilating their physical human bodies or taking chemicals inside their bodies to alter their God-given sex. We must repent and turn our lives around while there is still time. This is Advent. For those of you trapped in these sins, come to confession and relieve yourselves of this heavy burden.
Catholic Culture
Black Catholic young adult concerns: gerontocracy & LGBTQ+
By USCCB, December 5, 2025
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published “Advancing the Needs of Black Catholic Young Adults,” a 16-page report that resulted from listening sessions with black Catholic young adults. The report, posted on the US bishops’ website on December 3, identifies ten “issues within the national Catholic Church” and ten “issues within the black community.” The first three national Catholic issues listed in the report are “no representation,” “too much focus on charity, not enough on social justice,” and “not talking about racism and white supremacy.” The first three issues within the black community are “gerontocracy,” “LGBTQ+ issues,” and “cliques/bullying/ostracizing.” The purpose of the event was to explore how various Black Catholic organizations could collaborate more effectively to advance the needs of the Black Catholic community. The Black and Indian Mission Office and the National Black Catholic Congress office cosponsored the gathering.
Aleteia
Santa Claus’ real hometown isn’t the North Pole
By Philip Kosloski, December 3, 2025
St. Nicholas, the man who would later inspire the Christmas figure of Santa Claus, did not live in the North Pole. The 4th-century bishop lived in the ancient Greek city of Myra. The area is now called Demre and is located in modern-day Turkey, a country that Pope Leo XIV visited in 2025. According to Mental Floss, “Myra [was] once among the most powerful cities in ancient Lycia, a native culture with roots going back to the Bronze Age. (Lycians took up arms alongside the Trojans in the Iliad.) In subsequent centuries, the region would be invaded by Persians, captured by the Macedonian Alexander the Great, ruled by Egyptians, Hellenized by Greeks, and eventually controlled by Romans.” During the 1st century, the harbor city of Myra was also a stop on St. Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner, before he was shipwrecked.
Word on Fire
Documentary on Catholic John Candy worth a see
By Matthew Malone, December 3, 2025
I watched the new documentary I Like Me (2025) about Canadian comedic actor John Candy, which made me reflect on Candy’s life, work, and legacy. From his earliest on-screen performances in The Second City (SCTV) sketches to John Hughes’s films like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, John Candy lit up the silver screen with his larger-than-life personality. He was also a Catholic and described by many who knew him as one of the gentlest and most charitable people they ever met. Candy was raised in a working-class environment with strong Catholic values and was sacramentally formed in the Church. He went to Neil McNeil Catholic High School and later commented that his success was “rooted in the values and discipline and respect for others that I was taught at Neil McNeil.” John Candy starred in over fifty movies in his career, including Home Alone, JFK, Cool Runnings, and Canadian Bacon.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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