Catholic Nutshell News: Saturday 12/6/25
Topics include: Schismatic Colorado Springs group; Young Catholics in the pews; Doctors cringe about ‘gender’ care; & Socialist Priest a confidant to Venezuela’s Maduro
“We see through new tender verdant pecan leaves”
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, The Pillar, Crux, Our Sunday Visitor, ChurchPOP, & Aleteia. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic News Agency
Schismatic Colorado Springs group disregards excommunication
By Kate Quiñones, December 5, 2025
After receiving a letter of excommunication from the Vatican, Anthony Ward, who heads the Servants of the Holy Family, a schismatic group in Colorado Springs, told congregants he would ignore it, furthering the divide between the small splinter group and the Catholic Church. In a 40-minute speech to his congregation in which he called Church authorities “a kangaroo court” of “heretics” and “freemasons,” Ward went public on Nov. 16 about his excommunication and his plans to continue ignoring the Catholic Church’s directives. During a secret ceremony in 2024, a bishop whose name was withheld at the time consecrated Ward as a bishop without papal permission. Pointing to continued “obstinate ill will” by the Servants, Colorado Springs Bishop James Golka declared last year that Ward and other priests affiliated with the Servants “are not in good standing with the diocesan or the universal Catholic Church” and declared it “a schismatic group.”
The Pillar
What’s keeping young Catholics in the pews?
By Jack Figge, December 4, 2025
It’s no secret that many baptized Catholics stop practicing their faith at some point – often in early adulthood. Recent data from the General Social Survey found that among young adults raised Catholic, only about half who were surveyed in 2018-2022 still consider themselves Catholic. What is it that leads some young adults to buck that trend – to embrace their faith and make it their own? For some, it was their parents encouraging them to go to Mass. For others, a vibrant youth group or Catholic high school was a major influence. One common answer was having friends who are also seriously committed to the faith. But finding those friends can be a challenge, the teens said. Rachel Keeler from Naperville, Illinois, a Catholic high school junior, said, “What keeps me engaged is my community and my friends. We have a really good youth group at our Church and really what keeps me engaged is going with them, and every week, I look forward to seeing them, and they push me to be better for myself and stay engaged with the Lord.”
CatholicVote
Free Press reveals what doctors say about ‘gender’ care
By Mary Rose, December 5, 2025
Even as they publicly insist the science is settled, gender clinicians privately acknowledged performing irreversible hormonal and surgical interventions on teens whose requests, mental-health histories, and long-term prospects fall far outside anything supported by research. The footage comes from closed-door conferences of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and its U.S. chapter. It was released after a federal district court allowed Alabama to disclose discovery materials from a lawsuit challenging the scientific basis of WPATH’s guidelines. As part of that case, the state subpoenaed hundreds of internal conference recordings — materials the organization had attempted to keep confidential and, at times, destroy. The Free Press reviewed the footage and published it Dec. 3 in a report titled “‘We’re All Just Winging It’: What the Gender Doctors Say in Private.”
National Catholic Register
Socialist Priest is a confidant to Venezuela’s Maduro
By Jonah McKeown, December 5, 2025
Amid the geopolitical uncertainty, an obscure but influential figure has the ear of Venezuela’s autocratic president: a Jesuit priest, whose openly socialist views have put him at odds with the nation’s Catholic hierarchy. Jesuit Father Numa Molina, 68, became a confidant of Maduro’s after previously meeting and gaining the trust of his predecessor, President Hugo Chávez, who ruled Venezuela from 1998 until he died in 2013, and whom Father Molina has called a “prophet.” Tensions remain high between the United States and Venezuela amid numerous boat strikes in the Caribbean by the U.S. military that have killed more than 80 people since early September. Nicolás Maduro, who has led Venezuela into a 12-year tailspin that has included rampant inflation, numerous human rights abuses, and the departure of millions of emigres, reportedly believes he can cling to power despite the crisis.
The Times of Israel
In Italy, a growing number justify hostility against its Jews
By Rossella Tercatin, December 6, 2025
On September 22, 2025, a general protest and strike against Israel’s war in Gaza was organized by a group of smaller and far-left unions. It caught many in Italy by surprise—authorities estimated that some 50,000 had taken to the streets. The organizers boasted that 300,000 participants had marched in the capital, in addition to hundreds of thousands more in some 80 cities across the country. A survey published in September by prominent pollster SWG, around 15% of Italians consider physical attacks on Jewish people “entirely or fairly justifiable.” Israel has always maintained that it takes significant measures to minimize civilian casualties, but the Italian citizenry is increasingly unconvinced. With 23,000 official members across the country, over half of whom are in Rome, Italian Jewish communities are small but deeply-rooted, with a presence on the peninsula dating back over 2,000 years.
PIME asianews
Henan gets a new bishop, but churches are off-limits to under 18
By PIME asianews, December 5, 2025
In the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang, the episcopal ordination of Bishop Li Jainlin took place this morning, the second bishop elected during the recent sede vacante. The appointment was approved by Leo XIV in accordance with the Sino-Vatican accord, following the “resignation” of underground bishop Zhang Weizhu (who was arrested several times for refusing to join official bodies). Meanwhile, in Xuchang, the faithful found their church padlocked for allowing minors to enter it. This development coincides with the forced closure of a church in the same province, with a heavy padlock now barring its doors, all this for daring to violate the provision prohibiting anyone under 18 from attending services. “… on 30 November 2025, the Catholic Church on Hupin Road violated relevant regulations by allowing minors to enter the church and play musical instruments.
CRUX
No visas for Nigerians involved in violence against Christians
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP, December 6, 2025
The United States will restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday. The attacks on the community are part of a longstanding and extremely complex security crisis in Nigeria — a nation recently singled out by U.S. President Donald Trump for “the killing of Christians” by “radical Islamists.” Last month, Trump also said he has ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following the claims of Christian persecution. “The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement posted on X.
Vatican News
Qatar: Gaza ceasefire cannot be considered complete
By Nathan Morley, December 6, 2025
Qatar’s prime minister said Saturday the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip cannot be considered complete until Israeli forces withdraw under a peace plan backed by Washington and the United Nations. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the Doha Forum that U.S.-led mediators are working “to force the way forward” into a second phase of the deal. “What we have just done is a pause,” he said. “We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire.” He said the truce will not be finalized unless Israeli forces leave Gaza, stability returns, and people can move freely. The ceasefire halted heavy fighting in the two-year war, but Gaza health officials say more than 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October. On Friday, foreign ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar voiced concern over Israeli remarks suggesting the Rafah Crossing be opened only one way, to move Gaza residents into Egypt.
CNA, aciafrica, & CWR for 12/6/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — December 6, 2025
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.
Christmas 2025: Handmade gifts from 14 Catholic monasteries
Dec 6, 2025 - By Zelda Caldwell - A guide to some of our favorite handmade gifts to give and receive from religious communities and monasteries.
Sidewalk counselor finds woman crying in pain outside Planned Parenthood clinic in Chicago - Dec 5, 2025 - By Tyler Arnold - A pro-life nonprofit group is ramping up its sidewalk counseling initiative in Chicago after a woman was found curled up, leaning against the doorway for the Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Cohn Morris Health Center.
Pope Leo XIV among the most viewed and searched on Wikipedia and Google in 2025 - Dec 5, 2025 - By David Ramos - The Wikimedia Foundation, which supports Wikipedia, presented on Dec. 2 its list of “most read articles” in English. Pope Leo XIV in English holds fifth place, at around 800,000 hits per second, more than six times over normal traffic levels and “a new all-time record for us,” the foundation noted.
aciafrica
aciafrica’s top headlines — December 6, 2025
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.
Today, December 6, We Celebrate St. Nicholas of Myra - Dec 6, 2025 - On Dec. 6, the faithful commemorate a bishop in the early church who was known for generosity and love of children. Born in Lycia in Asia Minor around the late third or fourth century, St. Nicholas of Myra is more than just the inspiration for the modern day Santa.
Young Catholics at National Mass in Kenya Urged to Persevere amid Hardships: “Jesus loves you” - Dec 5, 2025 - By Sabrine Amboka - The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Youth Commission has encouraged young people from different Dioceses who attended their National Mass to remain hopeful despite difficulties.
New President of Sierra Leone’s Catholic Priests Pledges to Foster “deep, visible unity” among the Clergy - Dec 5, 2025 - By Silas Isenjia - The newly elected President of the National Confraternity of Catholic Priests in Sierra Leone has expressed commitment to promoting unity among the members in the West African nation during his tenure.
Cathlic World Report
CWR’s Colulmns, Analysis, & Features - December 6, 2025
Catholic World Report is a free online magazine that examines the news from a faithfully Catholic perspective.
What Benedict XVI taught us about Israel—and why it matters now - Matthew J. Ramage, Ph.D. December 6, 2025 - When devout Catholic young people start approaching you, troubled by the possibility that God has abandoned the Jews and that they somehow stand behind our social ills, it becomes clear that something has gone deeply wrong.
Eastern Catholics in the United States: A Look at the Numbers - J. J. Ziegler December 1, 2025 - The 23 Eastern Catholic Churches are grouped according to five ritual traditions. Ten of the Eastern Catholic Churches have a combined 18 eparchies that are headquartered in the United States—575,218 Catholics, 793 priests (both diocesan and religious), and 641 parishes.
Faith here and now - James Kalb December 3, 2025 - Chesterton called America “a nation with the soul of a church.” He was largely right. Not all Americans buy into the whole of our national creed, but it’s real, and it dominates public life.
Nutshell reflections for 12/6/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - December 6, 2025
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Aleteia
Prayer for the canonization of Nicholas Black Elk
By Kathleen N. Hattrup, December 28, 2025
For nearly 50 years, Nicholas Black Elk prepared people for Baptism, led prayer meetings, organized events for Native American Catholics, and worked as a lay missionary to the Lakota (also called Sioux). In 2017, the Diocese of Rapid City in South Dakota initiated his cause for canonization, hoping one day that the Church would recognize his holiness and declare him a saint. Honoring his life of Christian faithfulness, embedded in an indigenous culture, an inspiration to many, a prayer was written for the canonization of Black Elk by the Diocese of Rapid City. An excerpt:
We humbly ask you to hear the prayers
we plead through his intercession.
We ask Holy Mother Church to recognize
his sanctity by acknowledging his presence
among the company of Saints
and as one to imitate in his zeal for the Gospel.
First Things
Coroners speak up about Assisted Suicide Bill
By Mary Kate Zander, December 4, 2025
Illinois state coroners recently gathered to discuss the proposed physician-assisted suicide bill that awaits a signature on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk. Of the one hundred or so county coroners, more than fifty oppose the legislation because of language that removes deaths as a result of medically-assisted suicide from coroner oversight. “We have a statute and obligation to prove the manner and cause of death of the deceased who pass away in our county,” Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood told a local news outlet. “Every death in my county falls under my jurisdiction, whether it be a natural cause death or a motor vehicle fatality or whatever that looks like,” he continued. “Our job is to make sure that the deceased as well as their peripheral family get justice for that death.” If this legislation is signed, however, physician-assisted suicides will be exempt from that mandate. Why would “dying with dignity” advocates make this change, if not to shield assisted suicide deaths from further scrutiny?
The Catholic Thing
Book on anti-Catholics: Getting to know some modern monsters
By Msgr. Charles Fink, December 6, 2025
When the American novelist Walker Percy was asked by an interviewer why he had become a Catholic, he famously answered, “What else is there?” He knew that other religions and philosophies, although they might contain elements of truth and wisdom, could not satisfy the human thirst for a wholeness of vision that addresses all the exigencies and vagaries of mortal existence, and that they often contain errors and the seeds of aberrant behavior. In his latest book, Modern Monsters: Political Ideologues and Their War against the Catholic Church, George Marlin shines a bright light on the dark corners of anti-Catholicism that have characterized the thinking of five centuries of influential religionists, philosophers, activists, and politicians. This is not a book seeking to promote ecumenical dialogue or build bridges across the aisle separating the disputing parties. It’s a diagnostician’s examination of what ails the modern world, how it came to be so ill, and implicitly what it needs to be cured.
Christian Post
Pastor jailed: Wouldn’t apologize for drag queen story hour protest
By Jon Brown, December 6, 2025
A Canadian pastor expressed outrage regarding a fellow pastor who was arrested this week for not apologizing for protesting drag queen story hours with children at a public library two years ago. “These people are sick in the head. They’re demon-possessed. They’re wicked, evil minions of Satan,” Pastor Artur Pawlowski spoke from a court in Calgary, Alberta, showing support for his friend, Pastor Derek Reimer. Reimer was arrested in Calgary on Wednesday after he refused a court order to write and sign an apology to the Calgary Public Library manager. Reimer was arrested multiple times in 2023 and spent Easter weekend of that year behind bars because of his protests, which prompted widespread attention and condemnation from figures such as Samaritan’s Purse CEO Franklin Graham. Pawlowski, too, made headlines when repeatedly arrested during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns for keeping his church open in defiance of a court order.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
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