Catholic Nutshell News: Friday 6/27/25
Topics include: Accusations of witchcraft; Cultural impact of same-sex marriage; Pope Leo urges law enforcement; & New York Times’ anti-Catholic hatchet job
Fridays, "Living that coconut kinda life."
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, The UK Tablet, Catholic News Agency, Crux, Word on Fire, CatholicVote, Agenzia Fides, & Missio Dei. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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Agenzia Fides
Accusations of witchcraft and violence in Papua New Guinea
By Agenzia Fides, June 20, 2025
In the province of Simbu, in Papua New Guinea, so-called violence related to accusations of witchcraft represents one of the most serious and horrific forms of aggression between families and tribes. Father Christian Sieland, a biblical scholar and priest in Kundiawa, points out that beliefs about witchcraft “are deeply rooted in the mindset of both ordinary people and educated people… It will take more than a generation to eradicate them.” Msgr. Paul Sundu, bishop of the Diocese of Kundiawa, points out that accusations of witchcraft are often instrumentally motivated: “Due to jealousy or greed, people are accused of witchcraft to get rid of enemies or block their success in business, education, or politics.” “It is a form of violence against individuals or families,” explains Judy Gelua, diocesan coordinator of Caritas in the Diocese of Kundiawa. “In the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, hundreds of cases are recorded each year that go unreported.”
Catholic News Agency
The cultural impact of same-sex marriage and where it stands
By Tyler Arnold, June 26, 2025
The United States Supreme Court on June 26, 2015, decided that every state is constitutionally required to perform and recognize same-sex civil marriages — a controversial ruling at the time that was followed by major shifts in cultural norms and public opinion. When the justices handed down the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling in a 5-4 decision, only 16 states had already enacted laws legalizing same-sex civil marriage. The practice, however, had been ongoing in 21 additional states because lower courts had ruled against most state-level bans prior to the Supreme Court ruling. In the aftermath of the ruling, some Christians have been sued for adhering to biblical teachings on marriage and human sexuality in relation to anti-discrimination laws. Broader movements to normalize both homosexuality and transgenderism have also led to legal battles over parental rights, women’s rights, and religious liberty.
The UK Tablet
Pope Leo urges law enforcement: Fight drug traffickers, not addicts
By Courtney Mares/CNA, June 26, 2025
Pope Leo XIV called on governments and law enforcement agencies to focus their efforts on dismantling criminal organisations that profit from drug trafficking rather than punishing addicts. Speaking to anti-drug campaigners in a courtyard of the Apostolic Palace on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, the Pope denounced drug policy that targets the poor while powerful traffickers go unpunished. “There are enormous concentrations of interest and ramified criminal organisations that states have the duty to dismantle,” Pope Leo said. “It is easier to fight their victims. Too often, in the name of security, war has been waged and is waged against the poor, filling the prisons with those who are only the last link in a chain of death.” The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime released its 2025 World Drug Report. It revealed sharp increases in cocaine production worldwide as well as the deadly toll of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
National Catholic Register
New York Times’ anti-Catholic hatchet job of Sean Duffy
By The Editors, June 28, 2025
The New York Times, in a page-one hit piece published this week, went after Trump Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for having a large Catholic family and being happy about it, revealing the contempt the “Gray Lady” has for traditional faith-based values. The profile targets Duffy and his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, for celebrating life with nine children on their podcast, "From the Kitchen Table: The Duffys," and daring to suggest that having many children is a positive thing. The article, “The MTV Reality Star in Trump’s Cabinet Who Wants You to Have More Kids,” said the 53-year-old Duffy was not always a paragon of virtue and shouldn’t be taken seriously because of the way he behaved on three episodes of a reality show in the ’90s. In her contempt for the family’s Catholic faith, she wrote, “Mr. Duffy’s wife rattled off the kids’ names before mixing the batter … two were away at Catholic camp, praying the Rosary. Mom whisks and Dad mans the griddle.”
CRUX
Woman attacks toddler with pepper spray during Mass in Brazil
By Eduardo Campos Lima, June 27, 2025
A woman attacked a 2-year-old girl and her parents with pepper spray during Mass on Jun. 22 after allegedly being annoyed by the child’s behavior. The incident occurred at the Church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro (Our Lady of Exile) in Jundiaí, a city located on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil. “I saw that girl walking by the central corridor. She was not crying or shouting, just walking. And her mother was coming behind her,” Lina Ramazotti, who often takes part in Masses in that church, told Crux. According to Márcio Vieira de Sousa, who was seated at the back of the church, the incident occurred immediately after Communion. On the square in front of the temple, a group of men was surrounding the car of Livia Ponzoni de Abreu, a 41-year-old physician, the woman who used the spray against the child. Father Rafael de Godoy, who was celebrating the Mass, is seen approaching the group and talking to the woman. The police arrived shortly later.
CathNews Australia
Violence against Eastern Christians has diabolical intensity
By Charles Collins/Crux, June 27, 2025
Violence raging for Christians in the East “seems to be raging … with a diabolical intensity previously unknown,” according to Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff said it was “truly distressing” to see the principle of “might makes right” prevailing in so many of today’s situations, “all for the sake of legitimizing the pursuit of self-interest.” He was speaking in the Vatican on Thursday with members of the Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO). The pope said the history of the Eastern Catholic Churches “has often been marked by suffering and violence.” ROACO is a Vatican committee that unites funding agencies from various countries around the world to assist in different areas of life, including building churches, creating scholarships, establishing houses of study and formation, and founding social and healthcare facilities.
The Pillar
Canonical case to begin for priest convicted of financial theft
By Jack Figge, June 26, 2025
Fr. Lawrence Kozak, 52, pleaded guilty April 25 to one misdemeanor charge — theft by receiving stolen property — after stealing $41,179.83 from St. Thomas More parish in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The priest was sentenced to two years of probation, 80 hours of community service, pay $41,179.83 in restitution to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and write an apology letter to St. Thomas More parish, according to court documents obtained by The Pillar. With the criminal case concluded, Kozak is expected soon to face a canonical case in the Philadelphia archdiocese. The priest’s lawyer told The Pillar that a formal preliminary investigation — the first step in the canonical process — is currently underway. The archdiocesan judicial vicar, Msgr. Paul DiGirolamo said the case has not yet reached a formal judicial stage. It is unclear whether Kozak will face a full canonical trial, an administrative penal process, or have the process conclude after the preliminary investigation.
ChurchPOP
Trout returned a wedding ring: The legend of a Belgian abbey
By Côme Besse, June 26, 2025
The Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval is truly unlike any other. Located in southern Belgium, just a few kilometers from the French border, legend has it that Countess Matilda of Tuscany founded the abbey. In the 11th century, Countess Matilda of Tuscany went for a walk, stopped by a stream to take a drink, and accidentally dropped her wedding ring into the water. Devastated, she didn’t hesitate to beg the Virgin Mary for help. A trout emerged from the stream, holding her ring in its mouth! To give thanks to the Virgin Mary, she promised to found an abbey in this “Orval,” the Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval. After several financial challenges, in 1132, seven Cistercian monks reorganized the abbey’s operations to align with Cistercian life. Their efforts paid off: the new church was completed even before the year 1200. Over hundreds of years, finances and wars plagued the abbey. Today, Trappist brothers opened a brewery, which financed the restoration of the abbey.
Pillar, CNA & Satire for Friday, June 27, 2025
The Pillar
Pillar Articles for 6/27/25
The Pillar is a Catholic Church news and investigative journalism website founded by J.D. Flynn, former editor-in-chief of CNA and former chancellor of the Archdiocese of Denver; and Ed Condon, former Washington, D.C., bureau editor of CNA.
The Spanish city of Toledo is home to one of the oldest Corpus Christi Eucharistic processions, preceded by a Mass offered in the Mozarabic rite, which emerged during Spain’s Muslim occupation.
The Vatican City’s court next week will consider a lawsuit appeal in the case filed by former auditor general Libero Milone, who claims he was forced from his job for doing it too well, which might have led to the emergence of numerous scandals, if he hadn’t been fired.
Vos estis lux mundi, is Pope Francis’ procedural text for investigating allegations of abuse, misconduct, or certain kinds of official negligence on the part of bishops. The text is generally regarded as an expression of Francis’ view of ecclesiastical governance. But in an analysis last week, Sr. Carino Hodder argued that it might not be the right way to look at things
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — June 27, 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.
Pope Leo XIV to bestow pallium on these 8 U.S. archbishops - Jun 27, 2025 - By Hannah Brockhaus - Pope Leo XIV will impose the pallia at a Mass for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s Basilica, upon 48 new metropolitan archbishops, including eight from the United States, in a return to a custom changed by Pope Francis in 2015.
Department of Education says California is violating federal law with transgender policies\ - Jun 26, 2025 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - Title IX, a landmark federal civil rights law adopted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding.
Priest warns: Christian town in Holy Land no longer safe amid settler attacks - Jun 26, 2025 - By Sanad Sahelia - The Palestinian Christian town of Taybeh, the last remaining town in the West Bank inhabited entirely by Christians, faces ongoing attacks by Israeli settlers targeting residents, their property, and farmlands.
Babylon Bee’s Satire News
Hardest Parts Of Pregnancy For Husbands
By PROLIFE Across AMERICA Staff, June 17, 2022
Everyone loves to talk about how difficult pregnancy is for women, but the truth is that pregnancy requires incredible sacrifices from husbands too!
Having to listen to the sound of puking: It's so annoying and gross.
Sometimes it's hard to decide what little treat to buy yourself while you're out getting something for her food cravings: These decisions can get so difficult.
Having to drink for two: What a drag.
Everyone praising your wife and not acknowledging all the hard work you put into this: It's a real cross to bear.
Sometimes the laundry gets a little backed up and you have to look around for socks: So inconvenient.
Nutshell reflections for 6/27/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - June 27, 2025
Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Aleteia
‘The Chosen’ and the grueling filming of the crucifixion
By Camille Dalmas, June 26, 2025
On Monday, the Vatican had a Hollywood feel to it. The crew of the hit American series The Chosen was invited with great fanfare to the tiny state to present Episode 4 of its fifth season, followed by a press conference and a screening at the Filmoteca Vaticana. The episode they presented is that of the Last Supper, Christ's last meal with his disciples. As they spoke, the actors seemed to struggle to return to this episode, which they had filmed a year ago. They were overcome with emotion at the end of the Way of the Cross. “Not all the tears were played out,” said director Dallas Jenkins. A video released by The Chosen's communications team attests to the genuine emotion of some of the actors at the end of filming. “It was particularly brutal for me, for all of us,” said Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus. He said Season 6 was both emotionally and physically “more difficult” than other seasons of the series, which launched in 2017.
Catholic Exchange
Leo XIV is clearly a Marian pope
By Nate Guyear, June 19, 2023
Leo XIII and Leo XIV may share more than an attention to current social problems. Leo XIII deserves to be remembered not only for Rerum Novarum, but also for his record twelve encyclical letters on the Holy Rosary. These and other documents from Leo’s pontificate are a sober reminder of the supernatural—not merely social—mission of the Church, of the role played by Mary in the history of salvation, and of the consistent attention dedicated by modern popes to the dignity of women and to the safeguarding of the family. Now that we have recalled that Leo XIII’s was a “Marian papacy,” can we find any indication of a similar devotion in the first actions of Leo XIV? The answer is yes. When Prevost stepped on the balcony at St. Peter’s Square to address the crowd, he led the people in prayer by reciting a Hail Mary. Following his election, Leo XIV, in a very unusual move, decided to head outside of Rome to pay a visit to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
Word on Fire
Advice for troubled times from Bartholomew of Braga
By Maggie Phillips, June 26, 2025
In the Reformation’s time of upheaval in 1514, a Portuguese bishop, Bartholomew of Braga, Portugal, sounded a note similar to Pope Leo’s. The sixteenth century in which he lived and worked has important parallels to our own: Many are struggling to discern between truth and error, many distrust the institutions that are supposed to protect them, and new technology is upending the way humanity understands the world and our place in it. Providentially, in 2022, St. Augustine’s Press published a short English translation of a work by this influential man, also known as St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs. Entitled Stimulus Pastorum (A Charge to Pastors), it is part commentary on the Scriptures and the early Church Fathers and part practical how-to guide for his fellow bishops. It is also a blueprint for a truly transparent, visible, and credible Catholic Church in a moment when the world is crying out for it.
Missio Dei
The Messiah for Christians and the Jews
By Phillip Hadden, June 27, 2025
The life of the shepherd was a significant fixture in the imagination of ancient Israel. Shepherds make their mark throughout Sacred Scripture, from Abel to Moses to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, to David, to Jesus, who refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd in John Chapter 10—you get the point; oh, don’t forget the shepherds who received the message from the angels to go and worship the infant Jesus! Jesus cannot be the Jewish Messiah for Christians and not the Jewish Messiah for the Jewish People—it simply breaks the law of non-contradiction; it’s not a reasonable position to hold. The grafting-covenant theology position is proper for Christians to maintain
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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