Catholic Nutshell News: Monday 4/20/26
Topics include: Men and women are partners; God is not a ‘guru’; Vatican uncovered a hidden El Greco; India has a law against black magic
“Worth your weight in walnuts”
Today's sources are Crux, Graphs about Religion, Aleteia, Zeale News, OSV News, Catholic Culture, & EWTN News. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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EWTN News
Men and women are partners, not enemies
By David Ramos, April 17, 2026
It is “vital” that men be formed in virtuous masculinity, said organizers of the Fearless Congress, which opened its doors April 17 in Guadalajara, Mexico. “It’s not about competing; it is about understanding one another and returning to the original design: the one in which man and woman are not enemies but partners who complement each other,” said Zeny Leyva, a Cuban-born wife, mother, and media professional. The event, as its founder and director, Andrés Villaseñor, explained to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, “is a masculinity conference for men and women” as well as for “families who want to find their center, who want to unite, and who want to know what their purpose is.” Held at the Mexican Martyrs Shrine, the Fearless Congress is featuring among its speakers psychologist Jordan Peterson, Mexican actor and producer Eduardo Verástegui, world champion soccer player Carles Puyol, and theology of the body expert Christopher West, among many other well-known personalities.
CRUX
Pope in Saurimo warns God is not a ‘guru’ as locals battle wizardry
By Elise Ann Allen, April 20, 2026
Pope Leo XIV on Monday visited the town of Saurimo in northeastern Angola, where he cautioned locals against traditional superstitious practices and condemned the various forms of violence, inequality, and oppression that plague the nation. Speaking during Mass at the Saurimo Esplanade on April 20, the pope recalled the miracles Jesus performed in scripture, noting that many people set out in search of him after hearing of them. “At the same time, the Lord looks into our heart and asks us whether we seek him out of gratitude or for our own self-interest, with calculation or with love,” he said, noting that Jesus in the Gospel chastises those who followed him after the multiplication of the loaves and fish not out of a desire for genuine encounter, but “to consume.” The people see Jesus as a mere “means to an end, a provider of services,” the pope said, saying that if Jesus had not given them something to eat, “his actions and teachings would not have interested them.”
Aleteia
The Vatican uncovered a hidden El Greco
By Daniel Esparza, April 20, 2026
For nearly six decades, the Vatican had an El Greco in its care without fully knowing it. The small panel, now identified as The Redeemer and dated to about 1590–95, had entered the Holy See’s collection in 1967 as a gift from José María Sánchez de Muniaín Gil, a Spanish official, aesthetics professor, and author, who donated it to Pope Paul VI. For years, it hung in the Hall of Ambassadors in the papal apartment at the Apostolic Palace. It was there, quietly and without fanfare, until conservators took a closer look. As reported by Vittoria Benzine for Artnet, the painting had never been restored or subjected to scientific study during its 59 years in the Vatican. That changed after a routine inspection revealed conservation issues. A later painter, described by the restoration team as an unknown forger, had covered El Greco’s original Christ with an overpainted version.
Indian Express
Maharashtra, India has a law against black magic
By Mohamed Thaver, April 20, 2026
The Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 comprises 12 sections that lay down the scope of offenses and the powers the police have to act against them. It criminalizes practices such as human sacrifice, black magic rituals, and claims of supernatural cures that exploit people’s beliefs. Offenses under the Act are punishable with imprisonment ranging from six months to seven years, along with fines between ₹5,000 and ₹50,000. Activists point out that while the law broadly criminalizes practices related to black magic and exploitation of superstitious beliefs, the absence of operational guidelines on procedures and implementation has left police personnel unsure of how to proceed in many cases, affecting on-ground enforcement. On why the rules have not been framed, senior IPS officials said that it is in process.
Zeale News
Vance ‘grateful’ after Pope Leo rejects rift with Trump
By Mary Rose, April 19, 2026
Vice President J.D. Vance said on April 18 that he was "grateful" to Pope Leo XIV after the Pontiff pushed back against a media "narrative" casting him and President Donald Trump as adversaries. “There’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about myself,” he said. The Holy Father was referring to comments earlier in the week in which Trump criticized him in a lengthy social media post, calling him “WEAK on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” amongst other remarks where Trump described him as “a very liberal person” and said he is “not a fan.” The Pope made clear he intends to keep his focus on the Gospel rather than the political back-and-forth. "So we go on the journey; we continue proclaiming the Gospel message."
Related: Presidents and Popes Haven’t Always Agreed, but It’s Never Been Like This - National Catholic Register- Matthew McDonald, April 19, 2026
National Catholic Register
The making of a foundress: Mother Adela Galindo
By Emily Chaffins, April 15, 2026
As a little girl in León, Nicaragua, Mother Adela Galindo would never have pictured herself delivering a keynote speech to 60,000 at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. “What a pressure!” Mother Adela joked. The foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SCTJM) was born in León on Nov. 21, 1961. She emigrated to the United States, earned a master’s degree and three doctorates, and founded a religious order with convents around the world. 2026 marks Mother Adela’s 41st anniversary of consecrated life. Brother Iñigo Johnpaul, a 27-year-old Mexican American, has known Mother Adela since he was 7 years old. He is one of 80 religious (sisters, brothers, and priests) belonging to the international religious congregation Mother Adela founded in Miami in 1990. With members from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and at least bilingual in English and Spanish, the SCTJM has a unique Marian spirituality. They work in parishes, schools, and diocesan administration and have a large and active lay branch.
Graphs about Religion
A religious divide on Assisted Suicide
By Ryan Burge, April 16, 2026
The Atlantic in 2025 published Canada Is Killing Itself, reporting 5% of all the deaths in 2024 ended through physician-assisted suicide. In the United States, medical aid in dying is already legally permissible in 13 states and Washington DC. It is clear that the American public has been much more open to the idea of suicide in the case of incurable disease. In 1977, 37% supported someone ending their own life if they had a disease that couldn’t be cured. It is now at an all-time high: 69% in favor. A quarter of Americans favor an individual ending their own life if they just don’t want to live anymore. The most popular option was an individual saying that they would favor suicide in the case of an incurable disease, but in no other circumstances. Only 41% of Black Protestants support suicide. Evangelicals are at 46%. The non-religious are overwhelmingly in favor: 86%. 52% of American Catholics supported suicide only in situations when an individual has an incurable disease.
Our Sunday Visitor
Young men an ’emerging exception’ among ‘low ebb’ religiosity
By Gina Christian, April 17, 2026
An increasing number of the nation’s young men say religion is “very important” in their lives, marking a return to levels seen 25 years ago, and edging them ahead of young women on the issue, according to Gallup. “Given the relatively large proportion of young men who are Republican, the upward trends in their religiosity have a significant impact on overall trends among young men,” said Gallup. Gallup said attendance at religious services has risen among young Republicans, up 7 points for men (52%) and 8 for women (58%) since 2022-2023. Among young Democratic men, that figure rose 3 points (26%) for the same period, while remaining largely unchanged among Democratic women (31%). Gallup highlighted the “distinct differences in party identification between the two groups,” with 48% of young men identifying as Republican or leaning toward the party, and 41% as Democratic or Democratic-leaning. Young women are significantly more likely to identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party (60%), with only over one-quarter (27%) identifying as or leaning Republican.
EWTN, UCA, and CW News for 4/20/26
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — April 20, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See, and is available to anyone with internet access.
National Infertility Awareness Week: 4 Catholic ministries walking with couples - By Francesca Pollio Fenton - According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.
Beloved Catholic kids book series ‘Chime Travelers’ becomes animated TV show - By Francesca Pollio Fenton - The new animated series depicts the same stories from the books, including episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.
Young professional Catholics build community amid Toronto’s secular landscape - By Francesca Pollio Fenton - The Young Professional Catholics of Toronto brings together ambitious individuals navigating careers and personal growth, all while remaining rooted in shared Catholic values.
UCA News
The Union of Catholic Asian World News - 4/20/26
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
Indonesian parish to get back its missing funds from bank - April 20, 2026 | Jacobus E. Lato - They were defrauded of $ 1.7 million by a bank official through a fake investment scheme.
Indian Christians resist planned Church demolition - April 20, 2026 | Michael Gonsalves - The Shiloh Church of Christ and adjoining properties were handed over to Christians during the British colonial period.
Israeli PM vows action after soldier damages Jesus statue in Lebanon - April 20, 2026 | AFP, Jerusalem - Israeli officials criticized the soldier’s actions as “shameful and disgraceful.”
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.
Typical new US priest: 33-year-old cradle Catholic devoted to Rosary, Eucharistic adoration - The typical member of the priestly ordination class of 2026 is a 33-year-old cradle Catholic, according to a newly released survey of 334 of the 428 men slated to be ordained to the priesthood in the United States this year. The survey was conducted for the Secretariat of Clergy and Consecrated Life.
Woman assaulted in Barcelona after stating she is a Christian - A man of North African origin called a 19-year-old woman in Barcelona a “Christian whore” and assaulted her after he asked her what her religion is, and she replied that she is a Christian. “The victim sustained minor injuries and was assisted at the scene by emergency medical services.”
Kenya’s bishops issue statement on political intolerance, threats to sanctity of life - On April 16, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops warned against political intolerance and threats to the sanctity of life. The bishops also discussed health care, education, corruption, the defense of the institution of marriage, and voter registration. The East African nation of 55.8 million is 80% Christian (24% Catholic), 11% Muslim, and 8% ethnic religions. Pope Francis made an apostolic journey there in 2015.
Nutshell reflections for 4/20/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - April 20, 2026
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Word on Fire
Discerning our personal beauty: ‘Cult of the body’
By Kerri Christopher, April 16, 2026
Last year, actress Jamie Lee Curtis made headlines when she decried “the genocide of a generation of women by the cosmeceutical industrial complex, who’ve disfigured themselves.” She sports short gray hair and is seemingly one of the few women in Hollywood to reject serious cosmetic manipulation. International Theological Commission’s recent document, Quo Vadis, Humanitas?, warned of a “‘cult of the body’, which tends towards a frantic search for a perfect figure that is always fit, young and beautiful.” It turns out that while worshippers in the “cult of the body” may be on display as they walk the red carpet, the rest of us aren’t as far removed as we might think. Gen Z Christian writer Jenna Mindel is worried for her generation, and the next: “Gen Z girls treat wrinkles like they are a disease. And Gen Alpha is following suit … Tweens, teenagers, and young adults are obsessed with daily sunscreen application, not using straws (I am serious) and having a 9-step skincare routine dialed in before their brain is done developing.”
Dominicana
Refrigerator art exhibits priceless love of treasures
By Br. John David Corwin, O.P., April 16, 2026
No one would confuse my sisters’ and my art hanging on the refrigerator in our childhood kitchen as masterpieces worthy of exhibition at the National Gallery or even the occasional yard sale. They lack skill (the earth shaped like a bowl); they lack intelligibility (“Moth Daty IPP5” . . . or “Mother’s Day 1995” for those not fluent in kindergarten English); and they lack general aesthetic appeal. Yet to my mother, as to any, those works of ‘art’ are priceless treasures. They are priceless in spite of their imperfections because of love—my mother’s love for us and our love for her. This also characterizes our Lord’s love for us (Rom 5:6–8), but we can often get in the way of receiving that love because we expect perfection of ourselves. A childlike desire for perfection, on the other hand, is that shared joy at an imperfect masterpiece commemorating Mother’s Day 1995.
The Catholic Gentlemen
Two keys for becoming a Good Man
By Ryan Hanning, April 16, 2026
Great men aren’t born, they are made great through the crucible of life. It is a mystery left only to God’s providence that you would be reading this article in a particular place and at a particular time, much of which has little to do with your choosing. You and I were born into a place, a people, and a time with all its particular benefits and challenges. We don’t choose when or where we come into the world, but each of us will be judged by how well we live in it. We are judged by how well we develop our gifts and talents in service to God and one another. This, of course, is hard work. It requires both self-knowledge and self-possession, the two pillars of maturity upon which the foundation of our holiness is built. It can be said that your personality is the sum of your temperament and your character.
Patrick Madrid
Myth: The Catholic Church banned the Bible
By Patrick Madrid, December 26, 2025
One of the most persistent anti-Catholic myths is the claim that the Catholic Church once forbade ordinary Catholics from reading the Bible. According to this narrative, the Catholic Church (pejoratively “Rome” in many Protestant circles) could not afford to let the average Catholic read Scripture for himself. If that ever happened, the poor papist would supposedly discover that he had been duped. Though I do not question the sincerity of those who report having heard otherwise, it must be emphasized clearly that whatever some well-intentioned but misguided nuns, priests, or catechists may have said in particular places or eras reflected their own personal opinions or prevailing local attitudes, but not the actual teaching of the Catholic Church. The caricature that the Catholic Church tried to keep the Bible from the common man is historically false, yet is recycled endlessly.
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