Catholic Nutshell News: Saturday 11/8/25
Topics include: Leo XIV is not in a hurry; Moscow’s Catholic Cathedral; Controversial South Korean Marian shrine; & Can’t force students to use ‘preferred pronouns’
“We see through new tender verdant pecan leaves”
Today's news sources are Aleteia, CRUX, Catholic News Agency, National Catholic Register, Bishop Barron, First Things, & The Catholic Thing. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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National Catholic Register
Pope Leo XIV does not seem to be in a hurry
By Matthew Bunson, November 7, 2025
Looking at Leo’s first six months, there were no dramatic moments, no tectonic catchphrases, and strikingly little controversy. In fact, he has emulated not Francis and “Hagan lio” but Benedict XVI and his first words when he was elected pope in April 2005: “the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.” Leo has gone about doing the job with little drama and with such relative ease that the secular media has paid limited attention to him on a regular basis, beyond cheering his love of the Chicago White Sox, highlighting what they interpret is an attack on Donald Trump, or calling attention to some assumed positive comment about the LGBTQ community. For his part, Leo does not seem to be in a hurry or feel any pressure to make news, reorganize the leadership of the Roman Curia, or issue major writings such as his first encyclical.
Catholic News Agency
Amid protesters, Boston men’s march for life remains ‘prayerful’
By Kate Quiñones, November 8, 2025
Hundreds gathered in Boston last Saturday for a men’s march for life, which drew a rambunctious crowd of protesters dressed as clowns and inflatable dinosaurs. The fourth annual National Men’s March to Abolish Abortion and Rally for Personhood began at Boston Planned Parenthood and concluded about three miles away at Boston Common. While counterprotesters — some dressed as clowns or wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes — played instruments and yelled on the sidelines, marchers carried on in a “prayerful and well-composed” manner, said march co-founder and president Jim Havens, who called the event “outstanding.” At the rallying point at Boston Common, an estimated 50 Antifa members also showed up. Another counterprotester wore a pony costume and carried a megaphone.
Agenzia Fides
Moscow’s Catholic Cathedral opens to thousands of visitors
By Agenzia Fides, November 4, 2025
On the evening of November 3, Moscow’s Catholic Cathedral opened its doors to thousands of visitors for the “Night of the Arts,” offering three free concerts.
As every year, on the Day of National Unity, November 3 and 4, numerous free artistic and cultural events are held throughout the Russian Federation, mainly in the evenings and at night: lectures, concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, and workshops. For the third year, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was included among the sites of historical and cultural interest. It was visited by a large number of citizens between 8 p.m. and midnight on November 3. Following the end of the Soviet era, the Apostolic Administrations for European and Asian Russia were established by the papal bull “Providi quae Decessores” of John Paul II on April 13, 1991, and Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Moscow. He ordered the restoration of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception.
Aleteia
Catholics warned to avoid controversial South Korean Marian shrine
By Christine Rousselle, November 8, 2025
Catholics should not visit the “Marian” shrine in Naju, South Korea, and will incur an automatic excommunication if they do so, multiple bishops warned their flocks in recent weeks. The latest of these warnings came from Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Malaysia. On November 4, he issued a statement advising Catholics to visit only approved pilgrimage sites. “Catholics are not allowed to join activities or pilgrimages to Naju as this entails an automatic excommunication,” Poh wrote in the Archdiocese of Kuching’s publication Today’s Catholic. Shortly after the reports of the visions began in 1985 from a woman named Julia Kim, a convert to Catholicism, the Archdiocese of Gwangju, which contains Naju in its territory, started an investigation into the alleged happenings at the site. Again in 2024, the Archdiocese of Gwangu reiterated that “the Naju phenomenon” was unapproved by the Church and that Catholics were not to visit the location.
CBCPNEWS
Jesus ‘Nazareno’ devotees gather for first time in the Phillipines
By Norman Dequia, November 5, 2025
Thousands of Jesus Nazareno devotees are expected to gather on Nov. 26 for the first-ever national conference organized by Quiapo Church in the Philippines. Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan, rector of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, said the “National Balangay Conference” aims to strengthen faith and deepen devotion. Devotees of Jesus Nazareno form balangays, or faith groups that serve as small communities of prayer and service. Each group carries a distinctive Roman-style maroon or yellow banner, called an “istandarte,” bearing the image of Jesus Nazareno and their place of origin. The parish stated that there are approximately 600 registered balangays of Jesus Nazareno nationwide, representing nearly 13,000 active members. Verdadero said the gathering aims to present the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of discipleship and devotion for all Nazareno devotees. The conference expects 4,000 to attend.
CRUX
Catholics in Cameroon not enthused with President Biya
By Ngala Killian Chimtom, November 7, 2025
Cameroon President Paul Biya has been officially sworn in for an 8th term in office, extending his 43-year rule. “This country is our shared heritage. It is our most precious asset. Rather than destroying it, we have to build, strengthen, and modernize it,” the president said. The reference to a post-election crisis captures the reality in Cameroon today, where a former spokesperson for Biya’s government, who resigned to challenge his former boss, is now also claiming victory. Catholic priests and lay faithful have been quick to balk at Biya’s continued stay in power, predicting an 8th term that will yield nothing but pain and anguish for an already exhausted Cameroonian people. Father Etienne Bakaba described the start of the fresh mandate as “the last night” that opens “its curtains of darkness … [it is] a mandate of despair … a night of betrayal and abandonment that will lead to a crucifixion without redemption.”
The PILLAR
Survey finds most French priests are happy
By Luke Coppen, November 7, 2025
Researchers asked priests to evaluate their feelings about their vocation, providing five options ranging from “happy” to “discouraged.” The most popular answer, chosen by 45%, was “faithful to this calling, calm, determined, and happy,” followed by “less idealistic in the face of harsh reality, but at peace and happy,” selected by 35%. Just 1% said they were “lonely and discouraged,” often doubting their vocation. Asked to identify the source of their happiness, 53% said it was “being a privileged witness to the wonders that God works in people’s hearts,” 45% highlighted the sense of “being in the right place” and “working in the service of the Lord.” The results are notable because a 2020 study of French priests concluded that, while most enjoyed good health, 17.6% had symptoms of depression — more than three times higher than the general average for men in France.
CatholicVote
Court rules schools can’t force students to use ‘preferred pronouns’
By CV News Feed, November 7, 2025
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has held that the Olentangy Local School District Board of Education in Ohio cannot compel students to use classmates’ “preferred pronouns.” The court found that students who refer to all classmates by the pronouns associated with their actual sex, whether they are “transgender” or not, do not substantially interfere with the learning environment and thus cannot be punished under the district’s policy. District Judge Algenon Marbley (a Clinton appointee) initially denied conservative advocacy group Parents Defending Education’s (PDE) motion for a preliminary injunction. A three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court upheld the denial in July 2024. The full court then agreed to rehear the case, ruling that the mere use of biological pronouns does not entail ‘aggressive, disruptive action.’ Nor does the school district suggest that such speech has ever disrupted any school activity in the past.”
Related: Religious liberty is most limited for nonprofits in Michigan and Washington, Napa report finds, by Elise Winland of CatholicVote on November 7, 2025
CNA, The LOOP, & Pillar Posts for 11/8/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — November 8, 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 activities of the Holy See, available to anyone with internet access.
The Gospel of Qaraqosh: 13th-century Syriac manuscript preserved in Vatican Library - Nov 8, 2025 - By Georgena Habbaba - A richly illuminated Syriac manuscript dating back to the 13th century, known as the Gospel of Qaraqosh, was penned in A.D. 1220 by monk Mubarak ibn Dawud al-Bartelli of the Monastery of Mar Mattai near Mosul.
DHS blasts order for improvements to migrant facility, says it houses ‘worst of the worst’ - Nov 7, 2025 - By Steven Harras - The Trump administration denounced a federal judge’s ruling that mandated cleanliness and hygiene standards at an ICE facility in Illinois.
New Jersey diocese drops lawsuit in anticipation of fix to foreign-born priest visa issue - Nov 7, 2025 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - The Newark Catholic diocese in New Jersey has dropped a lawsuit against the U.S. government over a rule change to the religious worker visa used by foreign-born priests.
CatholicVote: Daily LOOP
Daily news and political impact stories at the LOOP
Elections and politics matter. The LOOP gives you daily gems on the news, which seek “to renew our country and culture.” CatholicVote’s advertised mission is “To inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life.” Today’s Monday topics from the LOOP include:
TRUMP VOWS TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS GLOBALLY - President Donald Trump announced yesterday that the U.S. is ready to protect Christians in countries where they are being slaughtered. Expanding on his previous commitment to defend persecuted Christians in Nigeria, he stated: “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
HIGH COURT ALLOWS POLICY AGAINST ‘NON-BINARY’ PASSPORTS - The U.S. Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration permission to enforce its policy of requiring that every passport display a person’s true sex, a decision that blocks a lower court order and marks another victory for the administration on the high court’s emergency docket.
MORE YOUNG MEN THAN EVER DISCERN MILITARY CHAPLAINCY - A record-setting group of 38 young men gathered last week at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore to discern a unique calling: serving both God and country as Catholic military chaplains.
The Pillar
Ed Condon’s Pillar Post for Friday, 11/8/25
The Pillar offers a daily news summary —its capsule take on Catholic News. Here’s Ed Condon’s analysis of the news from yesterday’s Pillar Post:
When the U.S. bishops’ conference elects a new president next week, the most famous of their number will be among the candidates: Bishop Robert Barron, who is both the bishop of a diocese and head of an international media company, with probably more reach and brand recognition than any other Catholic institution in the U.S.
Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church reportedly avoided controversial topics during a meeting this week with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Avoiding specific recent controversies like the arrest of two nuns, the bishops did, though, talk about minority rights and the role of religious minorities in nation-building.
Cardinal McElroy has been especially in my prayers ever since I heard of his upcoming surgery to treat a cancer diagnosis. It’s fair to say that Cardinal McElroy has probably seen his best, likely measured, hopes for the Trump administration frustrated. It’s a trite truism that there is more that unites Catholics than divides them, but as true as it may be, you’d be hard pressed to believe it some of the time. The need is real and serious for us to be able to embrace each other in what we’re all for even while being free and frank about that which we disagree.
Nutshell reflections for 11/8/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection - AUDIO - November 8, 2025
Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
First Things
On converting your spouse
By Jeremy M. Christiansen, November 7, 2025
At a recent Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, JD Vance remarked that he hoped his wife, Usha, would convert to Catholicism. The backlash was swift and savage. People criticized the vice president for being a bad husband and not respecting his wife’s choices and her Hindu faith. Most of it was just noise. The backlash, however, does express an unfortunate reality. It is the terminus of American small-l liberalism: The ultimate truth is individual autonomy, and by publicly expressing a desire for his wife to convert, the vice president committed the cardinal sin in the religion of liberalism.
The Catholic Thing
Leo’s remedy away from modern secular education
By Daniel Guernsey, November 8, 2025
Pope Leo’s support for Catholic liberal arts education offers a remedy to those seeking something different from modern secular education, which has been weighed and found wanting. The pope addressed part of the Jubilee celebrations participants and students, delivering a homily and publishing an Apostolic Letter during the education events. He addressed several traditional issues in Catholic education, but also introduced themes that are his own and worthy of note, particularly a profound appreciation for St. Augustine. There are also progressive leanings in the letter, such as a tendency to favor new, trending causes, and some of the now-stale language of the previous pontificate (“building bridges,” etc.). In the end, however, Leo shows he is an eloquent advocate for Catholic education. His chosen themes help advance the critical task of Catholic education.
Bishop Barron
Wealth is a sheer gift given to us by a generous God
By Bishop Robert Barron, November 8, 2025
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to approach wealth with wisdom. St. John Chrysostom proposes the right approach to money. “Those who love money are fierce in the pursuit of it, like wild animals pursuing their prey … Their eyes become blind to the suffering they cause, and their ears deaf to the cries of those whose lives are ruined by them.” Those are strong words, and they shook the people at the time who heard them. And they shake us today. But can you hear he’s speaking in the tones of Jesus? Everything we have—our bodies, our life, our breath, our minds, our accomplishments, and, yes, our wealth—is a sheer gift given to us by a generous God, and, therefore, it ought never to be hoarded for our own purposes but always used for God’s purposes.
National Catholic Register
What’s so different about a Catholic cemetery?
By John Grondelski, November 4, 2025
In recent years, various Catholic institutions have been asked to articulate their “identities.” What makes a Catholic university Catholic? A Catholic hospital? A Catholic cemetery? It’s not a foolish question. All these institutions were born in the Church — yet all have been imitated by the secular world — often convincing itself that these pale copies are just as good, even better, than the originals. “But everybody dies,” you might say. “What’s so different about a Catholic cemetery?” Start with the word itself. Cemetery derives from the Greek for “a place of sleep,” something like a dormitory. The term was first applied to Christian burial places because of the faith in the resurrection of the body. Pope Leo said it best on X on November 3. Christians do not call burial places “necropolisesv that is, “cities of the dead,” but “cemeteries,” which literally means “sleeping places,” places where one rests, awaiting the resurrection.
Image of Pecans by tseiu from Pixabay
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