Catholic Nutshell News: Saturday 1/17/26
Topics include: Mosques burning in Tehran; Sharp rise in West Bank settler attacks; Trump and pro-life protections; & World leaders fill out Phase II Gaza Board
“We see through new tender verdant pecan leaves”
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, The Pillar, Crux, George Weigel, Catholic World News, & Aleteia. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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National Catholic Register
Why are Mosques burning in Tehran?
By Alberto M. Fernandez, January 15, 2026
The protests erupting in Iran caught much of the Western world by surprise. Iran has had major protests before (2009-2010, 2011, 2019-2020, 2022-2023). The number of dead has been estimated at between 2,000 and 12,000 so far, most of them killed by the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij paramilitary, and the police. This is likely the worst slaughter of civilians in the history of modern Iran. Regime figures have responded that several hundred (200-300) security forces were killed by the protesters, and at least 34 mosques were set on fire in the Iranian capital. Although extremism exists everywhere, targeting places of worship has often been considered a taboo. There is always the possibility that mosques are being burned by “agents provocateurs” of the Iranian regime itself. Some analysts have noted the use of certain mosques as recruitment and training centers for the Basij paramilitary forces.
Aleteia
West Bank sees sharp rise in settler attacks
By Daniel Esparza, January 15, 2026
On Monday, three Palestinians were killed by Israeli drones in Khan Younis, while two children reportedly died from exposure to the cold, Vatican News reports. These deaths come amid a fragile truce in Gaza and renewed diplomatic efforts, yet they are matched by troubling developments beyond Gaza’s borders. According to data released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, so-called “nationalist crimes” committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians have risen steadily since October 7, 2023. In total, 1,720 such assaults have been recorded over that period. The most recent figures are particularly stark. In 2025 alone, there were 845 incidents attributed to settlers, resulting in around 200 injuries and four deaths. This marks an increase of roughly 25% compared to 2024, when 675 cases were documented, with 149 Palestinians wounded and six killed, as reported by Haaretz.
The Pillar
Pope Leo reviewing ‘special faculties’ for laicization
By Edgar Beltrán, January 16, 2026
The Dicastery for Clergy awaits special faculties that allow for the processing of cases for involuntary laicization (removal of a priest) via administrative process to be confirmed by Pope Leo. Laicizations are on hold, remaining in abeyance since the death of Pope Francis last year. The dicastery proposed to Pope Leo that it would either lose the authority to pursue such laicizations entirely or have the process limited to cases of long-term abandonment of ministry. “The idea is that an administrative procedure can be used for laicization only in very specific cases, such as abandonment of ministry, while most [unrequested] laicizations would be conducted by canonical courts,” a senior Vatican official told The Pillar. “The dicastery has way too much work, and an administrative decision of this kind is unappealable when the pope approves it in forma specifica. But popes usually don’t have time to read the small letters of every single case, so that’s problematic.”
Catholic News Agency
Trump negotiates with Congress over pro-life protections
By Tyler Arnold, January 16, 2026
U.S. bishops and Catholic pro-life organizations will be watching to see if President Donald Trump’s health care plan includes pro-life language. Trump has faced criticism over the past week from pro-life activists after he urged Republican lawmakers to be “flexible” on the Hyde Amendment when negotiating extensions for health care subsidies related to the Affordable Care Act. Trump’s health plan, outlined in a four-point memo, will be negotiated with Congress over whether to include the strongest possible pro-life protections and prevent federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. The Hyde Amendment, long included in federal spending bills, prevents tax dollars from being used on elective abortions. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has urged Congress to uphold the Hyde Amendment amid the negotiations.
The Times of Israel
Canadian PM Carney invited to join Trump’s Gaza board
By AFP, January 17, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join a board to supervise post-war Gaza, an offer he intends to accept, a senior aide told AFP on Saturday. Trump has declared himself the chair of a Gaza “Board of Peace.” He has so far tapped former UK prime minister Tony Blair and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to fill senior roles, and asked the leaders of Egypt, Turkey, and Argentina to take part. Argentinian President Javier Milei said Sunday that he was invited by US President Donald Trump to join the “Board of Peace,” which is meant to oversee post-war Gaza. Egypt is reviewing an invitation by US President Donald Trump to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to join the so-called Board of Peace for Gaza, Egypt’s foreign minister says in a press conference. The board is set to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October.
Related: Baskin: Phase 2 in Gaza must go forward even after too many months and many deaths, AsiaNews, by Dario Salvi, 01/16/2026
PIME asianews
The Basilica of Our Lady of Arabia in Kuwait is a rarity
By Dario Salvi, January 15, 2026
In Kuwait, there are few physical Church buildings. There are four parishes: the Co-Cathedral of the Holy Family in Kuwait City, long the seat of the vicariate; the parish church of Our Lady of Arabia in Al Ahmadi, now a minor basilica; the parish of Saint Teresa in Salmiya; and the parish of St Daniel Comboni in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, better known as Abbasiya. The first two are government-recognised places of worship; the third performs its services regularly despite a visible location; while the fourth is more reminiscent of underground communities. The Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Berardi, has described the situation as one of “suffering”, but not without hope, starting with the two parishes awaiting places of worship. Discussions are underway. The Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Al Ahmadi, a Minor Basilica, is the first Catholic place of worship built in the emirate, dedicated to the Mother of God (along with Saint Elijah the Prophet and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux).
CRUX
Catholic priest was Brazil’s most watched streamer in 2025
By Eduardo Campos Lima, January 15, 2026
A priest who became famous for inviting people to pray the rosary at 4 a.m. was Brazil’s most-watched streamer in 2025, surpassing gamers and sports commentators. According to Stream Charts, which collects data from the most popular streaming platforms, Father Gilson Pupo Azevedo, a member of the Carmelite Messengers of the Holy Spirit who is best known in Brazil as Frei (Friar) Gilson, had his videos watched for over 153 million hours last year. Evangelical Bishop Bruno Leonardo, in third place, had nearly 68 million hours of videos watched in 2025. Thirty-nine-year-old Gilson is also a singer and leads a ministry called Som do Monte (Sound of the Mountain). His fame has been growing in the South American nation over the past few years, especially through his promotion of the so-called Saint Michael’s Lent, a 40-day devotion that ends on Sept. 29
Vatican News
Angelo Gugel, private attendant to three Popes, dead at 90
By Vatican News, January 16, 2026
For half a century—between the closing years of the twentieth century and the dawn of the new millennium—Angelo Gugel served three Popes with quiet discretion and reserve as a First Assistant of the Chamber of His Holiness. Mr. Gugel died in Rome on Thursday night at the age of 90, surrounded by his family. His service began with the brief pontificate of Pope John Paul I, who called his fellow Venetian to join his lay collaborators. He continued through the long pontificate of John Paul II, of whom Gugel was a silent witness for nearly 27 years, and extended into the beginning of Benedict XVI’s pontificate, when, already in his seventies, he concluded his duties. He was among the last to have experienced up close—Papal Chamber Assistants are an integral part of the Papal Household—the short life of Pope John Paul I. He later testified in the process that led to the late Pope’s beatification.
CNA, aciafrica, & CWR for 1/17/26
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — January 17, 2026
Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the words of the Holy Father and the Holy See.
From Baptist pastor to Catholic priest: A unique journey to priesthood - Jan 17, 2026 - By Francesca Pollio Fenton - Father Travis Moger is a priest in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, who had an unconventional path to the altar. After a five-year journey of study and conversion, Moger, his wife, and his son were received into the Catholic Church on Easter Sunday 2018.
Former U.S. ambassador to Holy See weighs in on Vatican diplomacy in Venezuela, U.S. - Jan 17, 2026 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - The Vatican’s engagement with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, Francis Rooney said, likely had diplomatic intentions to strengthen her standing.
U.S. bishops say multimillion-dollar Eucharistic revival bore spiritual fruit - Jan 17, 2026 - By Tessa Gervasini - This week, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the report for the National Eucharistic Revival Impact Study. “Never in my tenure of working for the Church have I seen such deep impact,” said Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress.
aciafrica
aciafrica’s top headlines — January 17, 2026
ACI Africa was founded in 2019 to provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, with particular emphasis on the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See.
“Excellent opportunity to deepen reverence for Scripture”: Nairobi Archdiocese Issues Guidelines for Word of God Sunday - Jan 17, 2026 - By ACI Africa Staff - The leadership of the Commission for Liturgy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) has issued pastoral and liturgical guidelines to help the people of God in the Kenyan Metropolitan See
Jubilee of 150 Years of Evangelization in Guinea to Foster Faith and Reconciliation: Catholic Bishops - Jan 17, 2026 - By Jude Atemanke - The planned Jubilee of 150 years of Evangelization in Guinea is expected to foster faith, reconciliationn and hope, Catholic Bishops in the West African nation have said.
Seminary Rectors in West Africa Urged to Uphold Liturgy Standards, Cautioned against “performance-style” Mass - Jan 16, 2026 - By ACI Africa Staff - Bishop Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum of Ghana’s Catholic Dioecse of Koforidua has urged Seminary Rectors across West Africa to prioritize liturgical formation in their seminaries to prevent abuses.
Catholic World Report
CWR’s Columns, Analysis, & Features - January 17, 2026
Catholic World Report is a free online magazine that examines the news from a faithful Catholic perspective.
Ratzinger v. Kasper: Why the debate matters even more today - Chapp’s Schtick - Larry Chapp January 17, 2026 - December 31, 2025, marked the third anniversary of the death of Pope Benedict XVI. Perhaps, therefore, now is as good a time as any to look back and reflect on his legacy.
Thoughts on America, Age 250 - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap. January 15, 2026 - Americans are bad at history. As the late Christopher Lasch and many other scholars have noted, we’re ambivalent about the past. We claim to be a “new order of the ages,” words stamped in Latin.
At consistory, Cardinal Zen slams synodality as ‘ironclad manipulation’ and ‘insult’ to bishops - Catholic News Agency January 10, 2026, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun spoke at the Asianews Conference at the Pontifical and described the “continual reference to the Holy Spirit” during the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality as “ridiculous and almost blasphemous.”
Nutshell reflections for 1/17/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - January 17, 2026
Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
Aleteia
The surprising symbolism of the baldacchino
By Philip Kosloski, January 13, 2026
When entering an older church or cathedral, you will often see a large architectural structure that hangs over the main altar (or sometimes over the high altar against the wall). Its prominence draws the visitor’s attention to the most important part of the church. This structure is commonly called the baldacchino or, less commonly, the ciborium. Essentially, it is a stationary canopy supported by four columns and stands directly over the main altar. In many churches,s the canopy only has two columns and is fixed against the wall. in the 4th century baldacchinos were primarily constructed for large churches where the altar could easily be lost in the immense space. Initially, the canopy’s columns would also have moveable curtains. This was partially inspired by the Jewish Temple, where a veil separated the Holy of Holies. The baldacchino of Christian churches emphasizes the place where the bridegroom (Jesus) encounters his bride (the Church) and pledges his everlasting love.
George Weigel
The evangelist in China’s Stanley Prison
By George Weigel, January 16, 2026
In a 1974 address to a group of lay Catholics, Pope Paul VI noted that “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Pope Paul’s observation is especially pertinent at this historical moment, however, when skepticism about the human ability to grasp the truth of anything is constantly under assault in our culture. If Paul VI was right about witnesses being evangelists, then Jimmy Lai the Hong Kong entrepreneur, newspaperman, and human rights advocate who has now spent more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement in Stanley Prison, and who was recently “convicted” in a sham “trial” of being a threat to Hong Kong’s “national security” is one of Catholicism’s most compelling evangelists. Like other modern Catholic heroes—Father Alfred Delp, Blessed Omelyan Kovch, Bishop Francis Ford, Sister Nijolė Sadūnaitė, and Cardinal George Pell—Jimmy Lai has turned his imprisonment into a spiritual retreat.
First Things
The burial of the faithful
By Benjamin Myers, January 12, 2025
You want a day as boring as a shrub,
a high, departing plane the only sound.
A Tuesday or a Thursday would be best.
Like shuffled paper or a ticket stub,
the day should be unstuck from what’s around
it, loose and small, a button in a chest.
No pomp for one who’s walked this way since birth.
It must be in the ordinary ground,
in simple clay and rock spill left undressed,
in ground the raw-boned face of winter earth,
yet blessed.
The Catholic Thing
The Catholic Church understands evolutionary theory
By Casey Chalk, January 16, 2026
One of the oddest things about my evangelical upbringing was the catechesis I received in creationism. Because of a certain hyper-literalist interpretation of the Book of Genesis, the evangelical churches that my family attended periodically preached on the errors of Darwin, seeking to equip congregants with talking points on dinosaurs, carbon-14 dating, and various phenomena that evolutionary theory struggled to explain. All of us eager evangelicals, ostensibly trained to speak authoritatively on matters of science. Of course, few of us could actually do so. The idea that an evangelical who learned his science at church would go toe-to-toe with a hard sciences major or professional scientist and tell them that, in fact, the earth was 10,000 years old is ludicrous. I was thus thankful to learn that the Catholic Church understands evolutionary theory not as a villainous bogeyman, but, like every other aspect of modern thought, something to be considered in light of philosophical truth and a proper understanding of divine revelation.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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This roundup is fantastic and that bit about the Kuwait basilica really stood out. The fact that the Basilica of Our Lady of Arabia serves as one of just four parishes shows how precious physical sacred spaces can be where religious freedom is restricted. It makes me think alot about how we sometimes take our own churhces for granted. Stories like Bishop Berardi's describing 'suffering' yet maintaining hope remind us that faith can thrive even in the toughest conditions.