Catholic Nutshell News: Monday 10/6/25
Topics include: Anonymous abortion pill prescriptions; Catholic blasts massive African pipeline; Brazil’s record-breaking statue of Mary; & China’s Catholics going underground?
“Worth your weight in walnuts”
Today's sources are Catholic News Agency, Graphs about Religion, OSV, Aleteia, Fides, UCA, CWN, National Catholic Register, & Christian Post. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic News Agency
California law allows anonymous abortion pill prescriptions
By Kate Quiñones, October 6, 2025
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill last week allowing doctors to prescribe abortion pills anonymously, a move ethicists and medical professionals say will endanger women. The law, designed to protect abortionists, enables them to prescribe the pill anonymously, protecting them from any professional, legal, or ethical oversight and from lawsuits filed by other states. California abortionists are already facing lawsuits for prescribing abortion drugs in states where they are illegal. In some cases, women maintain that they were coerced or deceived into taking the drugs by the father of their unborn child. According to the new law, the doctor remains anonymous — even to the patient being prescribed the pill. Their identity is only accessible via a subpoena within the state of California.
CRUX
Catholic environmentalist blasts massive African pipeline
By Ngala Killian Chimtom, October 6, 2025
Flavian Wanzala, a young Catholic environmentalist in Kenya, has warned that Africa faces an unprecedented threat from a proposed 900-mile crude oil pipeline designed to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to the port of Tanga in Tanzania. This project has already been denounced both by the Vatican and the African bishops. If completed, the proposed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) would be the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world. French oil giant Total and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation are behind the undertaking. Authorities in both countries view the pipeline as a potential game-changer, arguing that it would generate income in the form of taxes for Uganda and Tanzania, the two countries through which the pipeline passes.
Aleteia
Faith’s new heights: Brazil’s record-breaking statue of Mary
By Cerith Gardiner, October 6, 2025
On November 13, 2025, in the Brazilian city of Crato, Ceará, the world’s tallest statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary will be officially inaugurated. Rising to an astonishing 51 meters (167 feet), the new statue of Our Lady of Fátima will soon dominate the skyline, standing as a monumental expression of faith and devotion. Brazil is already famous for the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. It reflects a deep-rooted desire to make faith visible, to inscribe belief onto the very landscape. For comparison, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is already an impressive 30 m (98 ft) tall, with an added 8 m pedestal. Cristo Protetor in Encantado soars a little higher at 43.5 m (143 ft). And if you look at other non-religious monuments, the Statue of Liberty (without its pedestal) is 46 m (151 ft).
Vatican News
Pope calls on world leaders to commit to Gaza peace deal
By Joseph Tulloch, October 6, 2025
Pope Leo XIV has called on political leaders to “commit themselves” to the ongoing Israel-Hamas peace negotiations, which he said have recently shown “significant steps forward. I ask all those in positions of responsibility to commit themselves to this path, to bring about a ceasefire and to release the hostages.” The Pope expressed his hope that the deal would be finalised “as soon as possible”, and urged his listeners to “remain united in prayer” for a “just and lasting peace.” In his remarks, delivered at the close of Mass in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said he “continue[d] to be saddened” by the “immense suffering” of Palestinians in Gaza, and greeted a group of pilgrims from Bethlehem. He also voiced his concern over “the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world,” mentioning in particular Thursday’s attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England.
The Pillar
Undercurrent in bishop’s evangelization since Vatican Council II
By JD Flynn, October 3, 2025
While differing visions of the Church’s mission can be credited with many of the dustups between bishops in recent years, debate among the bishops often focuses on the accidents at play, rather than essential questions over how the Church understands herself and her mission. In the aftermath of the Durbin dispute, it is worth asking what might happen if bishops stopped debating the accidents, skirmish after skirmish, and had more substantial conversations about their understanding of what the Church is tasked with doing. Visions and emphases in evangelization have been in tension with each other since the close of Vatican Council II. The divisions underscore many of the debates bishops have at the USCCB, and much of the tension between them on ecclesiastical issues. They also undergird many of the tensions between various institutions and tribes among American Catholics, even if they go unspoken.
Our Sunday Visitor
Heartbreaking homeless problem in Bogotá, Colombia
By Monica Poletto, October 2, 2025
In the south of Bogotá, Colombia, in a former middle-class neighborhood, lies the “Barrio San Bernardo,” where the parish of “Nuestra Señora de los Dolores” is located. The barrio’s appearance changed radically when the people living in a poor neighboring neighborhood were forcibly evicted to make way for an urban development project. A mass of 5,000 homeless people subsequently moved to San Bernardo. “Relationships between traditional residents and the homeless have become conflictual, and the sense of community has diminished,” said Father Juan Felipe Quevedo, who serves there. The physical neglect and the mountains of garbage on the streets contribute to the residents’ loss of hope,” the priest said. When Father Charly, Father Felipe, and some parishioners go out to distribute food, people run to them because they are hungry. “It’s heartbreaking,” Father Charly said.
Graphs about Religion
How Important is the President’s faith?
By Ryan Burge, October 6, 2025
Instead of posing the statement, “The United States is a Christian nation,” we asked our respondents to engage with this one: “I prefer if the President is a person of faith.” We wanted to determine whether the American public—regardless of whether they are religious or non-religious—was deeply concerned about electing a person of faith to the highest office in the land. For Protestants in the sample, almost two-thirds would prefer a president who mentions their own personal faith. For Roman Catholics, the rate was slightly lower at 54%. This one may come as a bit of a surprise, but for those who claim no particular religion, a clear majority didn’t care one way or the other (56%). Only 35% of the public believes that religious politicians are more trustworthy. One-third of the public is worried about atheists holding public office. And almost the same share is not concerned. And the remaining third are ambivalent about the whole thing.
National Catholic Register
Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Dilexi Te’
By Andrea Gagliarducci, October 4, 2025
Pope Leo XIV, on Oct. 4, signed the first apostolic exhortation of his pontificate, the text of which is expected to be released next week. The apostolic exhortation would not replace Leo XIV’s first encyclical, which is also in progress. The Vatican said in a press release that Leo signed the exhortation Dilexi Te in the library of the Apostolic Palace. The Holy See did not reveal the text of the document, which it said will be presented on Oct. 9 by the Holy See Press Office. The focus of the document was also not officially announced, though it is reportedly expected to focus on the poor. It was signed on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The document on the poor was one of the “suspended” documents left in progress at the time of Pope Francis’ death. Its text had initially been entrusted to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, for a preliminary draft.
CatholicVote
Cardinal Zen projects China’s Catholics will go underground
By McKenna Snow, October 3, 2025
Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong and 93-year-old anti-Communist hero, said the Hong Kong diocese has maintained communication with underground and official churches in the mainland, and noted that there have been more conversations about Sinicization lately with the official church. “When cooperation is not possible,” the cardinal said, “the Church can only languish underground or respond to God’s call by bearing witness through martyrdom.” Cardinal Zen’s message comes days after General Secretary Xi Jinping, in a Sept. 29 address about Sinicization, called for further steps to make religions in China conform to socialist society. Cardinal Zen wrote that the Church in mainland China faces the issue of unifying the official and underground churches, noting that the Hong Kong Diocese can serve as an impartial peacemaker. He said expectations going forward indicate a major difference between Catholicism and Protestantism, with Catholicism unable to cooperate with the Chinese expectations.
CNA, UCA, and CNW News for 10/6/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — October 6, 2025
The Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, and up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the happenings of the Holy See to anyone with internet access.
Pope Leo XIV allows outside banks to manage Holy See investments - Oct 6, 2025 - By Hannah Brockhaus - Pope Leo XIV issued “Coniuncta Cura” to allow the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See to use banks outside the Vatican for its investment activities.
Cash aid for moms: Michigan program cuts infant poverty, boosts families - Oct 6, 2025 - By Tessa Gervasini - The first community-wide, unconditional cash transfer program for new families called Rx Kids began in January 2024 in Flint, Michigan.
Vatican and other Catholic libraries turn to AI and robotics to digitize collections - Oct 6, 2025 - By Courtney Mares - As the Vatican Apostolic Library digitizes some of its historic collection, other historic Catholic institutions in Rome are turning to new technologies, including digitization, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure that patrimony endures.
UCA News
The Union of Catholic Asian World News - 10/6/25
UCA News (UCAN) is the leading independent Catholic media service from Asia, with a convergent media approach that couples traditional journalistic practices with multimedia and social media
Filipino bishop denies parish church funds linked to flood graft - October 6, 2025 - Fundraising and construction of church were completed before alleged scandal surfaced, says Bishop Abellana.
Taiwan scholars accuse China of using festivals to push unification - October 6, 2025 - Beijing is politicizing festivals to promote the ‘one China’ principle among Taiwanese citizens, scholars allege.
Indian police arrest US national, two others for conversion attempts - October 6, 2025 - The three Protestant Christians were accused of promising miracle cures and prosperity upon converting to Christianity.
Catholic World News
CatholicCulture.org from Trinity Communications
Catholic World News (CWN) is an independent Catholic news service staffed by lay Catholic journalists, dedicated to providing accurate global news from a distinctly Catholic perspective.
Pope Leo: ‘Today a new missionary age opens up in the history of the Church’ - “We are called to renew in ourselves the fire of our missionary vocation,” Pope Leo preached during yesterday’s Sunday Mass. Today, the frontiers of the missions are no longer geographical, because poverty, suffering, and the desire for a greater hope have made their way to us.”
Vatican foreign minister outlines Holy See’s positions, urges UN to recommit itself to its founding principles - “The Holy See calls for a recommitment to the original principles enshrined in the UN Charter, which remain as relevant today as ever,” Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher concluded. “It is important to resist the temptation to replace these foundational commitments with new ideas or programs that risk diluting the UN’s mission.
Leo XIV compares transmission of faith within families to Poland’s defense against Nazis - Pope Leo XIV compared the struggle to transmit the Christian spirit within families to the Battle of Westerplatte, in which the Polish army held out for seven days against a Nazi attack early in World War II.
Nutshell reflections for 10/6/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - October 6, 2025
Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Our Sunday Visitor
Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen
By David Mills, October 3, 2025
I think many of us don’t always show God enough deference, not always looking up to Him with the energetic submission that disciples should. I know that sounds funny, because we try to do everything we’re supposed to. Of course, we defer to Jesus. But here’s one common American Catholic failing in deference (it is one of mine): We look at how much God loves us, but we don’t always listen for what he may want to tell us about ourselves. We stress mercy and forget about judgment. (Some people do the opposite, which is just as bad a mistake.) God doesn’t offer a health-and-wealth gospel. The test is whether we can face suffering with joy. Submission to God’s judgment is how we begin to feel better about ourselves and our lives. We can forget that the word “disciple” denotes a hierarchy in which the master stands infinitely far above his disciples. The only way we will become the people we should become is by submission to the Master’s mastery.
National Catholic Register
Charity is an encounter with a real face and a real name
By Larry Chapp, October 5, 2025
Charity in the sense that the Sermon on the Mount demands costs us something on a personal level. It requires sacrifice, and it often beckons us to reach out in love even to those we do not like. It beckons us as well to love our enemies, since they, too, have faces and names. Charity is always personal in the sense Dorothy Day insisted upon. Therefore, when we give money to a “charity,” it is an act, though laudable and good, that can be without much cost (given from our largesse rather than our substance) and that is done with only a vague sense of who the money is helping. By contrast, the deepest and most transformative kind of charity is kenotic and cruciform; an encounter with a real face and a real name lays a claim upon us. This charity demands that we divest ourselves of all presumed privilege, of all of our precious “rights,” and turn ourselves over unreservedly to the needs of a real person standing in front of us.
George Weigel
US parchment documents continually evoke a sense of wonder
By George Weigel, October 1, 2025
The permanent exhibit in the rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. includes original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Constitution’s first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. However faded they have become over more than two centuries, these parchment documents continually evoke a sense of wonder. How did men of diverse experiences, sensibilities, political convictions, and religious beliefs manage to work together under the pressure of dramatic events to produce such a ringing affirmation of liberty in 1776—and eleven years later, create the governing architecture for a democratic republic that, despite numerous past challenges and present contentions, continues to guide the public destinies of 340 million people spread over a 3,000-mile wide continental expanse? There is nothing else like it on this earth. Nothing.
The Christian Post
Archbishop blasts UN for turning blind eye to Christian persecution
By Anugrah Kumar, October 6, 2025
Christians are being violently persecuted across the globe while world governments and international bodies continue to ignore the crisis, said a top Vatican diplomat, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, accusing the United Nations and its member states of failing to respond to what he described as the world’s most severe and widespread religious persecution. Archbishop Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states, told the U.N. General Assembly last week that more than 360 million Christians live in places where they face high levels of discrimination and violence, according to Catholic News Agency. “The data show that Christians are the most persecuted religious group worldwide,” Gallagher said. “Yet the international community seems to be turning a blind eye to their plight.” He also criticized the erosion of religious freedom more broadly, calling it one of the most urgent threats to peace.
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