Catholic Nutshell News: Friday 5/8/26
Topics include: No pro-life Democrats left; Priests are first responders; Rubio’s fence-mending visit to the Vatican; & When will Jesus come again?
Fridays, "Living that coconut kinda life."
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, EWTN News, OSV News, CatholicVote, Zeale, Bishop Barron, & Aleteia. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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CatholicVote
There are no pro-life Democrats left in Washington
By Elise Winland, May 7, 2026
Washington Examiner senior political columnist Timothy Carney argued in a May 5 op-ed that effectively no pro-life Democrats remain in Washington, D.C., because support for abortion has become a non-negotiable position within the national Democratic Party. Abortion, Carney argued, has become the “central organizing principle” of the current Democratic Party — a position he said every Democratic politician and official is expected to endorse. The column followed Carney’s earlier report on what he called the “Democrat-Abortion axis,” in which he argued that the Biden Justice Department relied closely on pro-abortion groups while pursuing prosecutions against pro-life activists. Carney argued in his May 6 piece that the relationship between Democrats and pro-abortion groups extends far beyond law enforcement. “Legalizing, subsidizing, and spreading abortion is a cause inextricable from the Democratic Party,” he said.
OSV News
Priests — First responders for those with mental health issues
By Katie Yoder, May 7, 2026
After losing four family members to suicide, Bishop Dolan began his diocese’s Office of Mental Health Ministry, which encourages the church to respond to similar situations by accompanying those with mental health needs and their loved ones. In the church, clergy can play a crucial role in supporting the mental health of those in their parishes and communities, according to Bishop Dolan. He and other Catholic mental health leaders spoke about clergy support of mental health for May, Mental Health Awareness Month. Their comments also came ahead of October when Pope Leo XIV’s intention will be for mental health ministry. While clergy are generally not mental health professionals, they can provide support and guidance for those struggling with mental health, these experts said. Clergy are not alone; They can and should work with mental health professionals and faith-based support networks.
Aleteia
When will Jesus come again in glory?
By Philip Kosloski, May 6, 2026
As Catholics, we firmly believe in the Second Coming of Jesus and profess this belief each Sunday in the Nicene Creed. It is a belief expressed simply, but one that can often provoke controversy and confusion. World wars and threats of war only add to a heightened belief that Jesus will soon be here. What does the Church teach about Jesus’ Second Coming? When will he come again? The Catechism presents an entire section on this topic and summarizes the Church’s official teaching. It begins by explaining, “Since the Ascension, God’s plan has entered into its fulfillment. We are already at ‘the last hour‘...” Jesus was clear to his disciples that they must be prepared, always ready for when he comes again. “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.”
National Catholic Register
ACLU Lawyer questioned in Saints-Statues case oral arguments
By Matthew McDonald, May 6, 2026
Justices on Massachusetts’s highest state court seem ready to modify 1970s-era Lemon test standards on government interactions with religion, but they didn’t tip their hand during oral arguments Wednesday on whether they’ll allow statues of two Catholic saints to be installed on a city public safety building. a lawyer for the ACLU of Massachusetts took more pointed questions from justices than her counterpart from Becket law group, especially over her contention that putting statues of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian on a government building would impermissibly elevate Catholicism. At issue is whether installing the statues would violate Article 3 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which (as amended in 1833) guarantees equal protection of “all religious sects and denominations” and also prohibits subordinating one to another. But the dispute also has the potential to reach the U.S. Supreme Court on First Amendment grounds.
EWTN News
Commission to expand sanctions on religious liberty offenders
By Tyler Arnold, May 7, 2026
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a fact sheet on May 6 that highlights opportunities to expand targeted sanctions against religious liberty violators. “There are various opportunities to expand the usage of targeted sanctions, particularly in countries that rank among the world’s worst violators of religious freedom,” the USCIRF document said. In the fact sheet, the USCIRF recommended the U.S. federal government not simply sanction entire countries but impose targeted sanctions against individuals and entities directly responsible for the violations. “While countrywide trade embargoes impose broad restrictions on countries to exert maximum pressure, these can cause collateral damage on civilian populations,” it states. The document identifies certain perpetrators who violate religious liberty in foreign countries, as detailed in the USCIRF’s 2026 annual report published in March.
The Pillar
Vatican orders Baton Rouge bishop investigation
By The Pillar, May 07, 2026
The Vatican has ordered an investigation in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, over allegations that Bishop Michael Duca discouraged a whistleblower from calling the police, after a local priest allegedly admitted to sexual contact with minors. The priest denies the allegation against him, while the Baton Rouge diocese has not responded to questions about the case. News of the Vos estis investigation comes after The Pillar reported last week that the Vatican had not yet responded to a whistleblower report filed more than two months ago, despite canonical norms requiring the Vatican to act within 30 days of receiving a complaint. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops has authorized New Orleans’ Archbishop James Checchio to conduct an investigation into a report Zumo filed in mid-February with the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service, a third-party system established by the U.S. bishops’ conference to receive allegations of episcopal misconduct or neglect in office.
CRUX
Rubio’s fence-mending visit to the Vatican
By Nicole Winfield, Matthew Lee, AP, May 7, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a fence-mending visit to the Vatican on Thursday to underscore strong bilateral ties, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s broadsides against Pope Leo XIV for his opposition to the Iran war angered the Holy See and sparked ongoing sparring between them. The U.S. State Department said that the meetings with Leo and the Vatican’s top diplomat covered peace in the Middle East and “underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See,” and reflected the “enduring partnership” between them. In a statement, the Vatican said the two sides then exchanged views on current events “with particular attention to countries marked by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations, as well as on the need to work tirelessly in favor of peace.”
Related: Marco Rubio’s meeting with Leo XIV: Pope does not cancel phone call with Trump, Jorge Enrique Mújica, Zenit News, May 7, 2026
Zenit News
Oregon’s $90K fine on Catholic counselor over same-sex blessing
By Zenit Staff, May 7, 2026
On behalf of a licensed Oregon counselor, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed their opening brief on Monday, May 4, with the Oregon Court of Appeals in Canepa v. Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. ADF attorneys represent Frank Canepa, who was fined $89,636 by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists for answering a client’s repeated demand to personally affirm same-sex relationships. Although Canepa had seen this client for over two and a half years and had never mentioned his personal views on same-sex relationships in at least 44 other sessions in which this topic came up, the client insisted for 20 minutes in one session that Canepa personally bless her same-sex relationship. Canepa eventually told her he could not personally affirm these relationships because of his Catholic faith.
Big Pulpit, EWTN News & Loop for 5/8/26
Big Pulpit
Tito Edwards Catholic site: May 8, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is a news aggregator that gathers quality insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide.
Leo’s First Encyclical Set for May 15 Debut – Daniel Esparza & Kathleen N. Hattrup at Aleteia
Rogation Days: A Forgotten Tradition Worth Keeping – Ashley T. Wallace at The Liturgical Home
Video:Pope Leo Appoints Radical Political Activist American Bishops – Anthony Stine, Ph.D.
Bay Area Diocese to Close 12 Parishes Amid Falling Participation – Elizabeth Weiss at Zeale
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — May 8, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the Holy Father's words and the Holy See.
‘Their very existence is at stake’: Catholic organizations mobilize for Lebanon’s Christians - By Romy Haber - Christians in southern Lebanon have paid a heavy price in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel but have been sustained through the support of Catholic organizations and initiatives.
Pope Leo XIV’s first year: 10 powerful moments - By Francesca Pollio Fenton - On May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Cardinal Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV. One year later, we look at some of the most significant events and powerful moments of his first year as pope.
India’s religious liberty on ‘downward trajectory,’ commission says - By Madalaine Elhabbal - “Religious freedom in India is abysmal," U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Vice Chair Asif Mahmood said at a hearing on Capitol Hill.
Zeale / Loop / CatholicVote
Zeale is CatholicVote, hosting the LOOP
Over half a million people receive the LOOP news rundown six days a week. Zeale is the new home of the LOOP. Zeale is a project of CatholicVote, America’s top Catholic advocacy organization leading the fight for faith, family, and freedom.
RUBIO MEETS POPE LEO FOR A REMARKABLE 2.5 HOURS - Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV yesterday in a meeting that lasted far longer than most papal audiences. Here's what we know about the private meeting. READ
OKLAHOMA MOVES TO EMPOWER OUT-OF-STATE PRO-LIFE ORGS - The Oklahoma House advanced a bill this week that would allow state taxpayer dollars to support out-of-state pro-life organizations providing care to pregnant women. READ
RENEWED SCANDAL: ISRAELI SOLDIER DISRESPECTS MARY STATUE - Israeli officials have initiated an investigation after an Israeli soldier was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. The photo was condemned by the Catholic Church's custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, who called it "disrespectful and outrageous behavior that must stop immediately." READ
Nutshell reflections for 5/8/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - May 8, 2026
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Catholic365
Paying attention to scripture interpretation
By Patricia Hershwitzky, Ed.S, May 7, 2026
The New Testament was originally written in the precise language of Greek, but translators over time have substituted poor English translations or intentionally chosen Greek words that weaken or wobble the interpretive message. For example, the Greeks have nine different words to describe different types of “love,” from the sensuous eros to the perfect love: agape. Given the multitude of Christian splinter religions since the Reformation and the numerous faulty translations—some intentional, others not— it is imperative that Catholics research and study the most reliable commentaries of the Word. Furthermore, the title “theologian” does not confer automatic knowledge and understanding. Unfortunately, likely thousands have been deliberately misinformed by social media, so it is incumbent on parents, educators, and Church leaders to address the pitfalls that mislead, confuse, and prompt misbehavior.
Catholic Weekly
Sharpening the soul in motherhood
By Liza Abouharb, May 7, 2026
I had been using that blunt knife for weeks, always too busy to do anything about it. I would simply cut what I needed and put it away again, still blunt. If only I had realized how many tears I could have saved by cutting onions with a sharpened knife. If only I had known how quickly those tomatoes and parsley would have been chopped. As I was pouring the onions into the pot, I started thinking about God in my daily life, about how life keeps us so busy that we barely think of him. Life is hard. Our children are growing and moving through different stages of their development so quickly. We are tired, stressed, and constantly alert. But even if (thank God) it is natural for them to grow and challenge us in so many ways, I began to wonder whether things felt harder because my soul had become blunt, like my knife.
Aleteia
Governor of Hawaii establishes ‘Brother Joseph Dutton Day’
By Philip Kosloski, April 30, 2026
The state of Hawaii has a complex history, and that history includes a number of saints who traveled there to minister to the local population. The best known of these are St. Damien of Molokai and St. Marianne Cope. However, there is another individual who is often overlooked, but who helped St. Damien and is also on the road to sainthood. His name is Joseph Dutton, and he is currently a “Servant of God.” He moved to Hawaii after he heard about the good work done by St. Damien and ended up being St. Damien’s primary assistant. To honor the good work that Joseph Dutton accomplished in Hawaii, Governor Josh Green recently signed legislation that establishes April 27 as “Brother Joseph Dutton Day” in Hawaii. Governor Green explained his reasoning: Brother Joseph Dutton’s life is a powerful reminder of what it means to serve others with humility and compassion.
Bishop Barron
‘I no longer call you slaves’
By Bishop Robert Barron, May 8, 2026
Psychologists tell us that a true friend is someone who has seen us at our worst and still loves us. If you have encountered me only on my best days, I have no guarantee that you are my friend. But when you have dealt with me when I am most obnoxious, and you still love me, then I am sure that you are my friend. The old gospel song says, “What a friend we have in Jesus!” This is not pious sentimentalism; it is the heart of the matter. What the first Christians saw in the dying and rising of Jesus is that we killed God, and God returned in forgiving love. He saw us at our very worst and loved us anyway. Thus, they saw confirmed in flesh and blood what Jesus had said the night before he died: “I no longer call you slaves… I have called you friends.” They realized, in the drama of the paschal mystery, that we have not only been shown a new way; we have been drawn into a new life, a life of friendship with God.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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