Catholic Nutshell News: Monday 7/7/25
Topics include: Recreational drug use is immoral; Auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei charged; ‘Holy Father, we’re sinking’; & Catechesis of the Good Shepherd—children encounter Christ
“Worth your weight in walnuts”
Today's sources are Catholic News Agency, ChurchPop, Graphs about Religion, OSV, Aleteia, Fides, National Catholic Register, & Catholic Digest. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic Exchange
Why recreational drug use is immoral
By Matthew McKenna, July 2, 2025
Recent reports indicate 20% of Americans use marijuana, with 30% of those who use it suffering from a “cannabis use disorder” (5-6% of the American population), meaning that cannabis causes significant issues throughout the person’s life. The use of psychedelics is on the rise among adults—25% of Americans used them at some point. Three main reasons describe why recreational drugs are immoral. First, like alcohol, recreational drugs make us lose the use of our reason. Secondly, most recreational drugs have serious health risks. Although it is often overlooked, we have a moral obligation to care for our bodies and maintain our health. Third, and probably the most forgotten, the type of pleasure that recreational drugs give us is, in itself, immoral. In recreational drug use, the whole point is to chemically stimulate pleasure without actually attaining any good thing.
Catholic News Agency
Auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei charged with human trafficking
By Julieta Villar, July 6, 2025
The Argentine justice system has added the auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei, the organization’s second in command, Monsignor Mariano Fazio, as a defendant in the case involving the alleged human trafficking and the reduction to servitude of 43 women in Argentina. The case, which was formally filed in 2024 but had been reported in the media several years earlier, accuses Opus Dei authorities of allegedly recruiting 43 women while they were still minors and subjecting them to a regime of semi-slavery in their residences. Opus Dei expressed surprise at seeing that “the claim [that] initially began in the media as a complaint about inconsistencies in pension and employment contributions” has subsequently “morphed into a civil claim for financial harm and damages” as well as most recently an “accusation from a person claiming to have been a victim of ‘human trafficking.’”
Vatican News
‘Holy Father, we’re sinking,’ said Archbishop of the Pacific
By Joseph Tulloch, July 4, 2025
The 53-year-old Archbishop, Ryan Jimenez of Agaña, Guam, a native of the Philippines, is head of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC)—which is, by area, the largest episcopal conference in the world. Perhaps the biggest problem in the region is the rising sea levels, accompanied by an exodus through migration. Many Pacific Islanders are being forced to emigrate to Australia. Comprising 17 dioceses, jurisdictions, missions, and prefectures, CEPAC spans a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, from the US territory of Guam in the west to the French-speaking island of Tahiti in the southeast. Pastoring this vast territory comes with serious administrative difficulties. Airfare between islands, even those that are relatively close to one another, can be prohibitively expensive, and the bishops of the region meet up only once every two years.
The Pillar
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd helps children encounter Christ
By Mary Farrow, July 4, 2025
Known as the “atrium,” the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) classroom set up is different from what would typically be seen in catechetical classrooms. There are no rows of desks or tables. The room is lined with low brown shelves, a perfect size for the students in the space—a catechetical program inspired by the methods of the Italian Catholic physician and educator Dr. Maria Montessori. CGS combines teaching from Scripture and liturgy with Montessori education methods. The CGS program was developed by Sofia Cavalletti, a Hebrew and biblical scholar, and by Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. Although it may seem new in some parts of the United States, the approach has been in use for decades. Pope Pius X consulted Montessori about how to prepare these younger children for their sacraments, and Montessori continued to meet with several other popes after Pius X about her religious and educational work before she died in 1952.
Our Sunday Visitor
The Chosen’s ‘endgame’ is to point people to Jesus
By Carol Glatz, July 6, 2025
Just as “The Chosen” wrapped up the release of Season 5 in the U.S., the hit series about Jesus and those who knew him was set to stream internationally in select countries, including Italy, starting in July. The goal of the series is “for people to get a deeper connection to Christ and to have a more intimate relationship with him,” Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Christ in the series, said. Elizabeth Tabish, who portrays Mary Magdalene in the series, said the historical drama resonates with its audience because “we start this entire series with all of these saints before they’re saints. And they’re really messy. They have their own vices and challenges.” The Chosen debuted at the end of 2017 as an online series, which has since expanded to theatrical releases, grossing nearly $140 million globally at the box office, touting 900 million episode views and a global audience of 280 million, said the series’ creator and director, Dallas Jenkins.
Graphs about Religion
Which generation can be blamed for religious decline?
By Ryan Burge, July 3, 2025
Evangelicals were 17% of the religious composition in the country in 1972. They rose to about 30% in the early 1990s and have dropped back below 20% in the last two surveys. Catholics remain stable at 25%, but that’s dropped a few points in recent years. The Black Protestant and Other Faith lines are also stable. The two biggest movers are the mainline and non-religious. Mainline was 30% of the sample in the mid-1970s. They dropped to 20% by 1990 and continue to slide from there at 10% of total religious composition today. Meanwhile, the “nones” have gone the opposite direction. They were 5% between 1972 and 1990, and then shot up from there, above 10% by 1996, north of 20% by 2014, and then they hit 28% in 2021.
CatholicVote
Children still outnumber older adults, but the age gap is closing
By Hannah Hiester, July 4, 2025
Children still outnumber senior citizens in the US, but in 11 states and nearly half of US counties, there are more adults aged 65 and older than children under 18, according to a new report from the US Census Bureau. The new median age in the US is 39.1 — a record high — up 0.1 years from 2023 and up 0.6 from 2020. The bureau found that between 2023 and 2024, the population over 65 increased by 3.1% to 61.2 million, while the population aged 18 and younger declined by 0.2% to 73.1 million. Although there are still far more children than senior citizens, trends over the past 20 years show that the number of older adults is steadily increasing, and the number of children is dropping. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of metro areas with higher populations of older adults went from 58 to 112, while the number of US counties with more older adults than children rose from 983 to 1,411.
National Catholic Register
Can age verification to limit access to porn really work?
By Jonah McKeown, July 7, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 27 ruled states are allowed to require pornographic sites to verify users are at least 18 years old, finding that “adults have no First Amendment right to avoid age verification.” Pornhub, one of the largest pornographic websites in the world, chose to cease operations in nearly all of those states rather than comply with the age-verification laws. The Church has denounced pornography as a “grave offense” that does “grave injury to the dignity” of participants and viewers (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2354). Bishops of the United States have been especially vocal, noting the average age of first exposure to pornography is 11 years old. Several technology and policy experts said the narrative pushed by porn sites and tech companies — that universal age verification would be too expensive, too complex, and too fallible to work — isn’t true.
Crux
Filipino bishops elect new head as nation’s election heats up
By Joseph San Mateo, July 7, 2025
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) elected its new president on Saturday, Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, an archdiocese about 50 miles south of Manila, as the politically outspoken Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David wraps up his second and final two-year term as head of the bishops’ conference. The conference’s new leadership is set to take over at a time when the Philippines, a country of over 85 million Catholics, is facing its worst political crisis in years. Vice President Sara Duterte is considered one of the top contenders to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos and Duterte, who are former allies, continue to be embroiled in conflict, prompting churchmen to speak out and call for national unity. The outgoing CBCP president, Cardinal David, has particularly spoken out on matters involving the Duterte family.
From CNA to Agenzia, plus Satire for 7/7/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — July 7, 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.
Catholic schools in spotlight as French abuse report fuels state oversight debate - Jul 6, 2025 - By Solène Tadié - The report, resulting from a five-month inquiry into violence within the school system, proposes a series of measures aimed at better protecting minors.
Catholics mobilize aid after historic flash floods devastate Texas Hill Country - Jul 5, 2025 - By Amira Abuzeid - “At this time it is unknown how many have been affected by rising water levels along rivers and creeks,” the Archdiocese of San Antonio said in a Friday statement.
Pope Leo XIV: Pilgrimages are ‘vital’ for a Christian’s life of faith - Jul 5, 2025 - By Kristina Millare - The Holy Father invited a large group of teachers and young people from Denmark, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to the Vatican on Saturday.
Agenzia Fides
News of the Pontifical Mission Societies for 7/7/25
Fides has become an excellent center for collecting and producing material information on the missionary world through current news, photographs, mission studies, and missionary work.
AMERICA/USA - The religious connotations of the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" - Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization responsible for distributing food to the population of Gaza, has been led since June 3 by evangelical preacher Johnnie Moore Jr.
AFRICA/DR CONGO - "We Women of Bukavu": A mother of four reports from the city occupied by the M23 - Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "I am a mother of four children whom I send to school. I collect empty plastic bottles; after washing them, I fill them with water or fruit juice from a powdered preparation.”
ASIA/INDIA - Chemical factory explosion: Catholic Church calls for transparency and protection of workers' dignity - Hyderabad (Agenzia Fides) - "The explosion at a chemical factory in the state of Telangana once again raises the serious problem of exploitation and disregard for the dignity of workers. The victims are mostly poor people.”
Babylon Bee’s SATIRE News
'That's Neat Buddy,' Says Dad Understanding Nothing Of What His Kid Just Told Him About Roblox
By Family Staff, July 6, 2023
Local dad Sam Moore offered his son several vague affirmations this morning, understanding absolutely nothing of what he was being told about Roblox. Moore remained unclear if Joshua was sharing good or bad news, the entire aim of Roblox remaining shrouded in mystery. "Wow, that's cool, bud" said Moore, genuinely trying to comprehend what was being explained. "Or maybe terrible? Regardless, sounds like you're winning. Do you win in Roblox? Ha, no, I totally get the point of the game. Sounds awesome, son." Despite receiving upwards of twenty minutes of detailed explanation, Moore came no closer to understanding anything that was being said. Moore had started to suspect that he had just said "that's neat" to his son charging $10,000 on the credit card for a virtual toy.
Nutshell reflections for 7/7/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO - July 7, 2025
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Exaudi
Educating in the Faith: The mission of parents, not the state
By Laetare/Exaudi Voices, July 2, 2025
In a world increasingly dominated by statist and uniformist ideologies, the Catholic Church raises its voice to remind us of a fundamental truth: the education of children is a natural and primary right of parents, not a concession from the State. This principle, deeply rooted in the Church’s social doctrine, is being challenged today on multiple fronts. The battle for educational freedom thus becomes an inalienable duty for believers, and especially for Christian parents committed to the spiritual and human future of their children. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (nos. 2221-2229) teaches that “parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children.” This is not just one option among many, but a mission entrusted by God before any form of civil authority.
Crisis Magazine
From Lincoln to today: Doing politics without God
By Regis Martin, July 4, 2025
For Abraham Lincoln, along with practically everyone else in 19th-century America, God was not a parenthetical aside, not a fifth wheel, the turning of which only took place on Sundays in church. He was everywhere. So, what did Lincoln say about God that set him so sharply apart from John F. Kennedy, who, for all that his religious pedigree remained Roman Catholic, was really only a secularist after all? “Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail.” Do presidents speak like that anymore? Does anyone? We have come a long way since Lincoln. Who, by the way, wrote his own speeches, not needing to outsource his muse to this or that highly-paid verbalist. For it is He alone who is God, the real and living Lord and Creator of the universe, to whom all are obliged to obey.
The Catholic Gentlemen
The art of making the right decision
By Josef Pieper, July 5, 2025
What are the prerequisites for a right, suitable, impartial, and just decision? First and foremost, this man should have the ability—the ability and the inclination—to see things as they really are. He should possess a thorough, not a merely approximate, knowledge of the facts, the circumstances, and the situation that are important in this particular case. And it is equally important—indeed more important—that he should evaluate the situation accurately. If I am to make the right decision (regardless of what the decision may involve), I must be guided by the truth of things themselves, by the facts, by what is really the case. The “virtue” of prudence, which is listed as the first among the four cardinal virtues, is in fact supreme and preeminent among them. It is, as it were, the mother of the other virtues; it is that which, as a medieval summa states, “gives birth to” them.
Catholic Digest
Superheroes and saints
By Maria Morera Johnson, July 3, 2025
Superheroes dominate today’s culture. The enormous success of Marvel and DC films creates an endless source of heroes for our children and young adults, tapping into a need for role models in today’s world. Our youth seem consumed by these stories, able to describe down to the tiniest detail the extent of a character’s unique superpower. Today’s superhero movies continue the tradition of storytelling as a medium for conveying values. We see this in ancient Greece and the advent of theater as a means for social commentary. We see this in scriptural accounts of Jesus using parables as teaching tools. The Church uses storytelling to illustrate the events in our faith history, from Genesis to Revelation.
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