Catholic Nutshell News: Monday 5/11/26
Topics include: Catholic woman saved tens of thousands; Filipino Church and political dynasties; Embrace science to find God; & What politicians hear when popes speak
“Worth your weight in walnuts”
Today's sources are Crux, Graphs about Religion, Aleteia, The PILLAR, 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
Catholic woman saved tens of thousands of orphans
By Kate Quiñones, May 10, 2026
In a chapel in Burundi in 1993, after she saw 72 of her friends, family, and colleagues executed, Marguerite Barankitse told God she no longer believed he was love. “How could God create those killers?” she recalled asking through her tears. As mass killings and ethnic violence tore apart her home country after a coup, Barankitse fled with 25 children, both Hutu and Tutsi, to the safest place she could think of — a Catholic church. But her faith had been challenged. Then, she heard the voice of a little girl — one of the first children she had rescued. “We’re still in life,” little Chloe said. “We are here.” “In this moment, I was reminded and saw that God is love,” Barankitse said. Beginning with the 25 children she saved, Barankitse has rescued and raised tens of thousands of children, eventually creating an organization called Maison Shalom. Maison Shalom didn’t just provide for the children’s practical needs, such as shelter, education, and healthcare. Barankitse wanted to teach them to love and forgive, across ethnic barriers. The children came up with the name.
CRUX
Filipino Church breaks bonds of political dynasties
By Paterno R. Esmaquel II, May 11, 2026
A new Church-backed signature drive called Dapat Isa Lang (One Is Enough) aims to end political dynasties in the Philippines, which have controlled local governments and worsened poverty for over a century. Activist priest Father Robert Reyes, one of the convenors of the signature campaign, said the Church has a role in fighting political dynasties, even as powerful clans have bought the silence of many clergymen. The process requires advocates to gather the signatures of 10% of the 68.43 million registered voters nationwide to force a national referendum. If passed, the law would ensure that only one national and one local official from the same clan can occupy public office simultaneously, fulfilling the campaign’s tagline: “one is enough.” Church leaders are preparing to mobilize their extensive networks, including thousands of parishes and Catholic schools, to secure the necessary signatures ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
Aleteia
What does the word ‘Paraclete’ mean in the Bible?
By Philip Kosloski, May 10, 2026
Both in the Bible and in certain prayers and litanies of the Church, the Greek word "Paraclete" is used and left untranslated. The word appears in the Gospel of John and is spoken by Jesus when he is promising the Holy Spirit: And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:15). Most Bibles translate Paraclete as “Counselor,” “Advocate,” or “Helper.” These are all appropriate translations and drive home the idea that the Holy Spirit has been sent to be with us. The original Greek word, "paraklétos," has a few more associations that shed additional light on the mission of the Holy Spirit — properly, summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid; hence, “one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate.”
Vatican News
Embrace science to find God in creation
By Devin Watkins, May 11, 2026
On Monday, Pope Leo XIV recalled that Pope Leo XIII re-founded the Vatican Observatory in 1891, at a time when science was being presented as a rival source of truth to religion. The 19th-century Pope said he was re-founding the institution so that “everyone might see clearly that the Church and her Pastors are not opposed to true and solid science, whether human or divine, but that they embrace it, encourage it, and promote it with the fullest possible devotion.” However, in our own times, both faith and science face a more insidious threat from those who deny the very existence of objective truth, said Pope Leo XIV. “Too many in our world refuse to acknowledge what both science and the Church plainly teach,” he said, “that we bear a solemn responsibility for the stewardship of our planet and for the welfare of those who dwell upon it, especially the most vulnerable, whose lives are imperiled by the reckless exploitation of both people and the natural world.”
Related: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: New film highlights Jesuit scientist’s legacy, by Paul Samasumo – Vatican City, Vatican News, 05 May 2026
The PILLAR
Rome has become much more reactive to the German Church
By Ed. Condon, May 8, 2026
As Luke Coppen observed in his analysis this week, for years the Vatican’s dealings with the German bishops has followed a predictable slow spiral: the Germans do something they shouldn’t (or can’t), Rome eventually tells them they may not, and cannot, and the Germans respond by saying things have already moved on and the Vatican’s nicht-nicht has been heard, but sadly ignored because it no longer accords with facts on the ground. This has been the case for some seven years now, and under Pope Francis, it has developed into a kind of careful choreography in which the Germans have carried on doing more or less as they like. Things have changed in the first year of Leo. What’s changed is that Rome has become much more reactive and much more willing to tell them "nay" in real time, essentially closing the time lag that had allowed the bishops to claim they weren’t exactly ignoring or defying the Holy See, just unable to accommodate them in time.
National Catholic Register
When popes speak — and what politicians hear
By Father Raymond J. de Souza, May 8, 2026
President Donald Trump and others assumed that Pope Leo was speaking critically about the Trump administration. Was he? Perhaps so. Or was he speaking, as popes usually do, more broadly, permitting others to apply his words to particular personalities and policies? For instance, everyone remembers that John Paul II fiercely denounced communism upon his triumphant return to Poland in 1879. Except he didn’t. He did not speak of it. Those who listened to him thought he was speaking about communism, but it was they who applied it. Popes speak clearly, but diplomatically, even elliptically. Apply this same principle to Pope Leo. Pope Leo did not make reference to the Israeli-American war against Iran. He said nothing about Israel, the United States, or Iran. It would be easy to apply the Holy Father’s words to the Islamist regime in Iran itself. That would be a reasonable understanding. But most commentators presumed that Leo was talking about U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Graphs about Religion
Faith, partners, and the unequally yoked
By Ryan Burge, May 7, 2026
The general admonition is the same in many faith communities: try to marry someone who shares your faith background. There are theological reasons for this, as was commonly invoked in my evangelical upbringing. Each spouse can edify the other’s faith and grow closer to God as they draw closer to One Another. But there’s also a really important sociological reason for it, too: kids who are raised by two parents who share the same faith background are more likely to be raised in a consistently religious home. The groups most likely to marry someone of the same faith background are Hindus (86%), evangelicals (83%), and Latter-day Saints (81%). They are followed closely by Black Protestants at 79%. Then there’s a pretty noticeable gap, and a whole bunch of traditions are clumped right around 70%, including Catholics and the non-religious. Given Judaism’s strong norm against marrying outside the faith, it’s noteworthy that so many Jews find a partner from another religious background.
Our Sunday Visitor
National shrine honors first recognized US Black Catholic priest
By Simone Orendain, May 4, 2026
The first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States, who has already had 40 potential miracles through his intercession, is now getting his own national shrine in western Illinois, where he grew up and once served. On April 29, the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, announced plans for a national shrine for Venerable Augustus (Augustine) Tolton (1854-1897), one of the “saintly seven,” referring to the group of African Americans recognized as “servant of God” or “venerable” who have active sainthood causes. Church leaders said plans would be underway for a $5 million-plus makeover of St. Boniface Church in Quincy, Illinois. Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield blessed a plaque from the city of Quincy — the place where Father Tolton grew up, ministered, and is buried — designating the church a landmark property.
EWTN, UCA, and CW News for 5/11/26
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — May 11, 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.
Nation of Colombia to be consecrated to Immaculate Heart of Mary on May 13 - By Eduardo Berdejo - The dayʼs events in Bogota will include the rosary, Mass, the consecration, Eucharistic adoration, and a procession, with the theme of praying for peace and reconciliation through conversion of heart.
After stillbirth loss, mother of 7 returns to school to help others heal - By Tessa Gervasini - After navigating loss and grief, Kelly Helsel is officially now a licensed counselor thanks to the guidance given to her by the Catholic Church and her desire to use her experience to help others.
How Christ transformed 2 young converts from Islam - By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú - The converts describe their journey to faith in Jesus Christ, their experience of receiving the sacraments at the Easter Vigil, and the importance of their catechists and Christian community.
UCA News
The Union of Catholic Asian World News - 5/11/26
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
Christian family attacked for faith in India’s Chhattisgarh state - May 11, 2026, Bijay Kumar Minj - Attackers told them they no longer had the right to stay, having adopted a ‘foreign religion.’ Christian leaders in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh have expressed deep concern after a family was allegedly assaulted and threatened to leave their village because of their faith.
Indonesian abuse scandal sparks calls for Christian school reforms - May 11, 2026, Jacobus E. Lato - A recent child abuse scandal that led to the closure of an Islamic boarding school and the arrest of its head cleric is a wake-up call for Christians to tighten monitoring and introduce reforms in their schools, Church leaders say.
Philippine vice president impeached in historic corruption case - May 11, 2026 - Paterno R. Esmaquel II - Political analysts foresee a tough battle to convict Sara Duterte in the Senate. The impeachment means lawmakers found sufficient grounds to elevate the case to the 24-member Senate, which will sit as an impeachment court and eventually decide whether to convict or acquit Duterte.
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.
Report: 217 churches have been destroyed in Nigerian diocese - Since September, attacks on communities in Nigeria’s Taraba State left “scores killed, maimed and injured,” Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of Wakuri said in a statement, as reported in the Abuja-based Premium Times. “… over 98,000 persons have been displaced, including 16 priests, while 217 churches have been completely destroyed,” and 100 people killed.
Secretary of State Rubio describes ‘very good’ meeting with Pope Leo - At a press conference on May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed his audience with Pope Leo XIV. “We had a very good meeting,” said Secretary of State Rubio. “We talked about those areas that we’re working together on in different parts of the world,” and “updated them on the situation with Iran, expressed our point of view about why this was important, and the danger that Iran poses to the world, which is largely recognized.”
USCCB pro-life chairman backs Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act - The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities lent his support to the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act and thanked the legislation’s sponsors, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Bishop Daniel Thomas wrote, “This legislation would build upon Congress’s efforts to end access to taxpayer funding for one of the nation’s largest abortion providers.”
Nutshell reflections for 5/11/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - May 11, 2026
Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Word on Fire
Salvador Dalí was a ‘Nuclear Mystic’
By Matthew Malone, May 11, 2026
Salvador Dalí is perhaps best known for his eccentricity, upturned mustache, and paintings of melting clocks, yet ultimately he was one of the most controversial, influential, and famous artists of the twentieth century. In a typically paradoxical way, he expressed his sincere Catholicism, nonbelief, and the desire to use mysticism to “penetrate the core of reality.” The unconscious mind and dreams became the foundation for the surrealist movement, as Breton expressed the goal of surrealism to “resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality.” During his early years, Dalí identified as an atheist and blamed Catholicism for his profound guilt about sex, lashing out with various provocative paintings and films. He publicly expressed his formal return to Catholicism in 1949. The following year, Dalí was granted an audience with Pope Pius XII. He presented The Madonna of Port Lligat (1949) to his holiness, who approved of the image.
Dominicana
Why me, Lord?
By Br. Mannes Bresnahan, O.P., April 28, 2026
“Descendants as countless as the stars of the sky” (Gen 22:17) seems like an impossible promise for someone in Abraham’s shoes. The stars are practically innumerable, and Abraham was an aging man without an heir. Gazing up at the vast desert sky and contemplating the magnitude of God’s promise must have been overwhelming. If I were in his position, my only response to his promise would be, “Why me, Lord?” Saint Paul’s “vast desert sky” was the number of people he had to evangelize. He probably asked the same question whenever he reflected on God’s election of “a blasphemer and a sinner” (1 Tim 1:13) to be his apostle. God’s providence is full of these apparent contradictions. Saint Augustine was busy with worldly pursuits before eventually becoming one of the Church’s greatest theologians. Saint Francis of Assisi lived extravagantly but eventually became the exemplar of poverty.
Catholic Gentlemen
Killing my enemy
By Jared Staudt, May 4, 2026
We must love our enemies while also preparing to kill them when necessary. I remember taking my wife to a shooting range, and she stood holding the pistol, breaking down in tears, unable to fire. “I just don’t want to do it,” she told me. You don’t have to,” I responded, “but you are the one who wanted to come here. Remember why? You said you wanted to be able to protect your children if I wasn’t there. So, think about that. Think about shooting to protect your children.” She pulled the trigger. It’s psychologically difficult to prepare to kill another human being. And it should be. It’s something you should never have to do. It’s so difficult that Lt. Col. Dave Grossman related in his book On Killing that “the vast majority of combatants throughout history, at the moment of truth, when they could and should kill the enemy, have found themselves to be unable to kill” (14). Should they kill? That’s harder to answer than you might expect.
The Christian Post
Being spiritual but not religious eventually face plants
By Robin Schumacher, May 11, 2026
Although there are reports of more spirituality than ever with greater access to spiritual teachings and experiences, it’s been accompanied by less commitment and clarity. The result has been a faith that is deeply personal, but superficial; a spirituality that seems empowering, but doesn’t transform; a search that is always moving, but never resolving. A major review in Current Opinion in Psychology found that those spiritual but not religious (SBNR) “tend to be higher on neuroticism”, which is a personality trait associated with anxiety, emotional instability, and stress reactivity. A study published in the journal Religions found that SBNR individuals often report “struggles…with existential issues,” including unresolved questions about meaning, tension around belief, and a lack of clarity about identity and purpose. There’s also a 2026 study in Scientific Reports that examined non-religious spiritual practices closely aligned with SBNR identity and found associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms.
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