Catholic Nutshell News: Monday 12/15/25
Topics include: Consecrated life perseveres in Cuba; Jimmy Lai convicted; Euthanasia rates skyrocket; & Sharp decline in trans identification
“Worth your weight in walnuts”
Today's sources are Crux, Graphs about Religion, Aleteia, Fides, UCA, Catholic Culture, & Catholic News Agency. (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
Consecrated life perseveres in Cuba despite a lack of vocations
By Diego López Colín, December 15, 2025
Cuba is facing a shortage of religious vocations to the point that the country is losing almost one women’s religious congregation each year. Even so, the presence of consecrated men and women remains an indispensable pillar for sustaining the Church’s evangelizing mission on the island. Father Ricardo Alberto Sola, president of the Cuban Conference of Religious, explained that consecrated life on the island is “is very rich,” though it has suffered a significant decline in recent years. Currently, 118 religious congregations exist in Cuba, primarily female, with 700 sisters and 140 priests from 65 countries serving 20,872 faithful. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, pro-prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Daniela Leggio, head of the promotion and formation section, visited the country from Nov. 22 to Dec. 2.
CRUX
Media mogul Jimmy Lai, a Catholic, convicted in Hong Kong
By Kanis Leung, AP, December 15, 2025
Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court on Monday, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life. Lai, a 78-year-old practicing Catholic, is guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Arrested in August 2020 under a Beijing-imposed national security law that was implemented following massive anti-government protests in 2019, Lai spent five years in custody, much of it in solitary confinement. Lai has been convicted of several lesser offenses and appears to have grown more frail and thinner. Lai’s trial, conducted without a jury, has been closely monitored by the U.S., Britain, and the EU as a barometer of media freedom and judicial independence in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Aleteia
Euthanasia rates skyrocketed in NSW Australian state
By Christine Rousselle, December 14, 2025
An average of 20 people each week died by euthanasia in the Australian state of New South Wales during the 12 months between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, said a new report published by the state’s government. This marks a 53% increase from the last reporting period. The new report, published at the end of November, covers the first full year that “assisted dying” has been legal in New South Wales. New South Wales was the last of Australia’s six states to legalize euthanasia, although it remains illegal in the Northern Territory. During the 2024-2025 reporting period, 1,028 people from New South Wales died by euthanasia, or about 20 people per week. In the first report, which covered only from November 28, 2023, through June 30, 2024, there were 398 euthanasia deaths, or about 13 people per week.
Agenzia Fides
Students transform waste into renewable energy
By Agenzia Fides, December 15, 2025
Turning waste into renewable energy-powered lanterns is the project of a local innovator, Aluwaine Tanaka Manyonga, from the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. He invented the so-called “Chigubhu” lantern, which means “bottle” in the Bantu language, Shona, a portable circular lighting product made from light-emitting diode (LED) lighting electronic waste. Only 44% of Zimbabwe’s 15 million people have access to electricity. In rural areas, where more than 60% of the population lives. Electricity access at only 20% leaves most communities disconnected from the national grid. 1,500 lanterns have been distributed across the country so far. According to the State Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe generates approximately 1.9 million tons of waste annually.
The Pillar
Vatican’s balancing act in Venezuela put to the test
By Edgar Beltrán, December 12, 2025
A few days after Pope Leo XIV warned against potential American military action in Venezuela, the Venezuelan regime barred a local cardinal with a Vatican passport from leaving the country, raising questions about whether the Vatican will respond more forcefully to the Maduro regime. Cardinal Porras’ detention has exposed a long-running tension in Vatican diplomacy: the attempt to advocate for peace in Venezuela without seeming blind to the human rights abuses fueling Venezuela’s crisis. The Holy See has long prioritized protecting clergy and preserving its role as a mediator, opting for quiet diplomacy rather than public confrontation. The treatment of Porras now raises the question of whether the Holy See must change course and show that it can speak with greater moral clarity while still safeguarding the Church’s presence and keeping open the diplomatic channels vital to any future agreement to end the country’s crisis.
Related: The virtue of hope and diplomatic action, according to Pope Leo XIV, December 13, 2025 , by ZENIT Staff
Zenit
Attendance record broken at Basilica of Guadalupe
By Jorge Enrique Mújica, December 5, 2025
For two days in December, the hill of Tepeyac once again became the gravitational center of Mexico. Millions of pilgrims moved through the northern edge of Mexico City in an unbroken human current, converging on the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to mark the anniversary of the Virgin’s final apparition to Juan Diego. By the evening of December 12, local authorities confirmed a new attendance record. An estimated 12.8 million people visited the shrine between December 11 and 12, surpassing the previous high set in 2024 (12,5). The figure places the Basilica firmly among the most frequented religious sites in the world and underscores the enduring force of Guadalupan devotion in contemporary Mexican life. Municipal and city officials reported a largely incident-free outcome despite the unprecedented crowds.
Graphs about Religion
Sharp decline in trans identification among young adults
By Ryan Burge, December 15, 2025
The share of 18–22-year-olds who identified as transgender has dropped noticeably between 2022 and 2024. In 2020, 8.6% of 18–22-year-olds said they were transgender. That was, without question, the high-water mark. Just a year later, the share dropped to 5.6%. In the most recent data, just 3.2% of young adults identified as transgender, a decline of more than five percentage points between 2020 and 2024. In the most recent data, just 3.2% of young adults identified as transgender. That’s a decline of more than five percentage points between 2020 and 2024. What’s striking is that even among people who are decidedly not “young,” there was a noticeable drop in trans identification. For instance, among respondents born in the 1970s, about 1.6% said they were transgender in 2020; by 2024, that had fallen to just 0.3%.
University of Notre Dame
Many voters still don’t trust voting machines
By Elise Winland, December 12, 2025
Many American voters remain concerned that electronic voting systems can be “hacked” remotely, and a majority of Republican voters believe cheating affected the 2020 presidential election, according to a Dec. 4 national survey from Rasmussen Reports. The survey — conducted Nov. 23-25 — found that 63% of individuals are concerned that electronic voting systems could allow votes to be changed remotely through internet connections during voting, including 33% who are very concerned. By comparison, 32% said they are not concerned, including 12% who are not at all concerned. Partisan gaps persisted across several measures—46% of Republicans said electronic voting machines make it easier to cheat, compared to 30% of Democrats and 33% of unaffiliated voters. Then, 73% of Republicans, 56% of Democrats, and 62% of unaffiliated voters said they are at least somewhat concerned. Slightly more men (39%) than women (33%) said electronic voting machines make it easier to cheat in elections.
Vatican News
Voices of African Sisters published as a testament of resilience
By Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS, December 15, 2025
The quiet presence of the African sisters has always supported the Church in Africa. They run hospitals, schools, orphanages, parishes, many in very challenging environments. Their stories are largely unknown beyond their congregations or countries. Through the initiative Watawa wa Taa, meaning “Consecrated women of light” in Swahili, Sr. Mumbi Kigutha of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio, created a platform for African women religious to engage in dialogue for mutual accomplishment and renewal. This was the incubator of the “Living Ancestors” book and its birthplace. Living Ancestors affirms their integral contributions to the Catholic Church worldwide and offers long-overdue recognition. Sr Mumbi bridges the generational gap by showing younger sisters where their roots lie and allowing the world to appreciate the fruits of the African religious life.
CNA, UCA, and CW News for 12/15/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — December 15, 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.
Representation of the Way of the Cross in Mexico recognized as UNESCO heritage site - Dec 14, 2025 - By Diego López Colín - Holy Week in Iztapalapa is not merely a theatrical performance but a manifestation “of unity, faith, and resilience that brings together thousands of people in a collective exercise of memory, identity, and participation.”
Curtis Martin steps down as CEO of FOCUS after nearly 3 decades leading ministry group - Dec 13, 2025 - By Daniel Payne - Martin said that after nearly three decades, the organization now numbers “more than 1,000 FOCUS missionaries … in over 250 countries.”
Vatican to unveil Nativity scene, light up Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 15 - Dec 14, 2025 - By Victoria Cardiel - The chosen tree, an imposing 80-foot Norway spruce, comes from the town of Val d’Ultimo in Ultental, one of the most picturesque and lesser-known valleys of South Tyrol in the Alto Adige region of Italy.
UCA News
The Union of Catholic Asian World News - 12/15/25
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
Indian court raps officials in excess fee case against Church-run schools - December 15, 2025 - They acted in ‘a very hostile atmosphere beyond their competency,’ says Madhya Pradesh of the High Court.
Punjab hosts Pakistan’s first government-sponsored Christmas rally - December 15, 2025 - A Muslim cleric expressed concern about the ‘broader Muslim public’ staying away from such programs
South Korean police raid Unification Church HQ - December 15, 2025 - The church is at the center of a widening bribery scandal involving top politicians
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.
Rejoice, for Jesus is our hope, Pope tells pilgrims on Gaudete Sunday - Addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for yesterday’s Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo reflected on the Gospel reading at Mass (Matthew 11:2-11) and said that Christ “opens the eyes of man to the glory of God.”
Christ “gives voice to the oppressed and to those whose voices have been silenced by violence and hatred,” Pope Leo said. “He defeats ideologies that make us deaf to the truth. He heals the ailments that deform the body.”
Cardinal Parolin: Violence in Mozambique has ‘fundamentally religious root’ - Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, celebrated Mass on December 13 for participants in the Jubilee of Italian Diplomacy, days after he visited an Islamist insurgency hotspot in Mozambique. Parolin spoke of a “tragic reality” of killing, “often by decapitation”—a tragedy that has “a fundamentally religious root” and is “almost completely ignored at the international level.”
Vatican newspaper highlights plight of Tuvalu’s migrants - The Vatican newspaper devoted the most prominent front-page coverage in its December 13 edition to the plight of migrants who have left the island nation of Tuvalu for Australia because of rising ocean levels. “The first climate migrants have arrived in Australia,” Giada Aquilino reported. “They are about 300 inhabitants” of Tuvalu, “long threatened by rising ocean levels caused by the devastating effects of climate change.”
Nutshell reflections for 12/15/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - December 15, 2025
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Word on Fire
There is a war on Advent
By Joseph Vukov, December 12, 2025
We’ve heard for years about the so-called war on Christmas. The front lines get drawn differently depending on your interlocutor. Some years back, the plain red holiday cups at Starbucks became a flash point of controversy. Doesn’t the design evacuate the season of Christian content? Others locate the front line in our choice of greeting—“Merry Christmas” getting co-opted by “Happy Holidays.” Personally, I don’t get riled about these issues. Starbucks has never been a bastion of traditional Christianity, and a plain red cup seems a perfectly appropriate vessel for sugary peppermint concoctions. “Happy Holidays” seems a fine greeting, especially in company where it isn’t clear what particular holidays everyone celebrates. The ongoing secularization of Christmas, for example, is patently obvious to anyone who cares to notice. Christ gets swapped for Santa Claus.
CatholicVote
Now is the time to fix immigration
By Elise Winland, December 12, 2025
The chancellor of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City says the U.S. is in its strongest position in decades to overhaul its immigration system and should act now to pursue comprehensive reform. In a Dec. 11 essay published by First Things, Michael Scaperlanda argued that stronger border enforcement has created a rare opportunity for lawmakers to revisit immigration policy for the first time since the 1980s. “With the border secure, the time is ripe for comprehensive immigration reform for the first time in forty years,” Scaperlanda wrote. “The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers our legislators an outline of a balanced path forward, protecting our nation and its citizens while respecting the dignity of each human person.” Scaperlanda said today’s immigration debate is often framed as an all-or-nothing choice between supporting immigrants or enforcing immigration law. He described that framing as overly simplistic.
Omnes
Routine threatens your marriage
By Almudena Rivadulla Durán, December 15, 2025
When life at home is pure management, we inevitably get caught up in mental loops, searching for meaning in this daily repetition that seems to be overshadowing our entire lives. You may even find yourself thinking: When did I get myself into this mess? How do I get out of it? Or even, what if I’ve chosen the wrong life? Of course, marriage is a legal contract that seeks to protect all its members; of course, marriage is a sacrament of the Catholic Church where God manifests himself with all his grace so that we can move forward with this intense relationship. But marriage is also a pact, an agreement we establish at the beginning of the relationship and must reestablish again and again in different ways. Only a husband and wife can do this for each other; only they can answer questions about the meaning of their marriage and commit to seeing their love through to the end, until death do us part.
Bishop Barron Reflections
Speak with the authority of Jesus Christ
By Bishop Robert Barron, December 15, 2025
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the chief priests and elders question Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” The Greek word used for “authority” is most enlightening: exousia. It means, literally, “from the being of.” Jesus speaks with the very exousia of God, and therefore, his words effect what they say. He says, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43), and the dead man comes out of the tomb. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, “Be still!” (Mark 4:39), and there is calm. And the night before he dies, he takes bread and says, “This is my body” (Matt 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19). And what he says is. This is the authority of the Church. If we are simply the guardians of one interesting philosophical perspective among many, then we are powerless. If we rely on our own cleverness in argumentation, then we will fail. Our power comes—and this remains a great mystery—only when we speak with the authority of Jesus Christ.
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