Catholic Nutshell News: Saturday 4/18/26
Topics include: Cameroon is teeming with youth; ‘Uneven enforcement’ of FACE Act; Pope Leo chastises journos; & The USCCB’s ‘Just War’ error
“We see through new tender verdant pecan leaves”
Today's sources: National Catholic Register, EWTN News, The Pillar, Crux, First Things, Catholic World News, & Aleteia. (Catholic Nutshell is a FREE subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their Catholic News Muscle)
Please support the following Catholic news services and spiritual support sites. Click here to view this email on the Catholic Nutshell News website. Today’s Catholic Nutshell News audio podcast is available on the Substack App.
EWTN News
Special education services restored for Chicago Catholic schools
By Madalaine Elhabbal, April 17, 2026
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has reinstated funding for students with disabilities at Catholic schools, reversing a decision to cut special services after pushback from the Archdiocese of Chicago. “We are delighted to announce that Chicago Public Schools will be restoring special education instructional services to students in Chicago Catholic schools beginning Monday, April 20. Services will be provided through the Friday before Memorial Day, May 22, as had originally been planned,” the archdiocese said in an April 16 statement. The news comes after the archdiocese said in an April 10 statement that Chicago Public Schools abruptly terminated its funding for services provided to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) more than a month before the end of the school year.
Aleteia
Cameroon is teeming with youth
By I.Media, April 18, 2026
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, on April 17, 2026. During his homily, he specifically addressed the younger generations, who make up the majority of the population. He urged them to take action in society by rejecting violence, corruption, abuse, and superstition, assuring them that “every good effort becomes a morsel of bread for humanity in need of care.” According to the UN, the median age of Cameroonians is around 19, and children under 14 make up 43% of the population. On the third day of his trip to Cameroon — the second stop of his African tour — at Douala, a city located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, he met with a crowd of 120,000 people, some of whom had slept at the site all night. They welcomed his popemobile with boundless euphoria despite a scorching sun. Authorities had prepared to host up to 600,000 faithful for the Mass. He also met with representatives of 4,000 religious groups of the country, a meeting added to his schedule at the last minute.
The Pillar
Meet Eddie Cotter — you won’t forget him
By Jack Figge, April 18, 2026
Eddie Cotter Jr., 64, has been a rock band drummer on MTV, an inner-city social worker, a youth minister, a juvenile court director, a founder and leader of an international apostolate, a drummer of a world-renowned traditional Irish band, a high school basketball coach, and a founder and commissioner of the National Dart League. He arrived in Black Earth, Ireland, 18 years ago to run the Dead Theologians Society, a small Catholic youth ministry apostolate focused on introducing students to the lives of the saints and the Church's tradition. Chris Stefanick — yep, the wildly popular Catholic speaker and podcast host — who then was the director of youth ministry for the Diocese of La Crosse, convinced Eddie to move out there and run the apostolate. Four years ago, he returned to the U.S. The Dead Theologians Society, now 28 years old, has established chapters at 550 parishes, with more than 20,000 participants. “Evangelization is imparting our faith in a way that’s real, that goes deep, and that changes a person’s life and actually orients them to want to grow in holiness and make it to heaven,” Eddie said.
OSV News
Bishops’ pro-life chair speaks ‘uneven enforcement’ of FACE Act
By Kate Scanlon, April 17, 2026
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee, expressed concern about the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act, and its “uneven application.” His comments came after the Department of Justice released a report on April 14 alleging the Biden administration “weaponized” the federal law, which was crafted to protect access to both reproductive health facilities and houses of worship. Thomas is “Thankful for the DOJ’s investigation into enforcement of the FACE Act.” In its 882-page report, the DOJ accuses the Biden administration of weaponizing the FACE Act by collaborating with groups that support legal abortion to target pro-life organizations and individuals, and that, in some criminal cases, there were disproportionate sentences for pro-life defendants and defendants who support abortion.
Times of Israel
‘Iran got a little cute’ by closing Hormuz again
By ToI Staff, April 18, 2026
US President Donald Trump says Iran “got a little cute” by reimposing its closure on the Strait of Hormuz today, but that Washington is in talks with them, and he will have information on the matter by the end of the day. Briefing reporters in the White House, Trump says dialogue with Iran is “working out really well” despite today’s closure of the strait. “We’re talking to them,” he insists. “We’ll have some information by the end of the day.” Trump says Iran “got a little cute” in its decision to close the key waterway. “They wanted to close up the strait again,” he says, insisting that “they can’t blackmail us.” Trump said on Friday that he may end the ceasefire with Iran unless a long-term deal to end the war is agreed upon by Wednesday. “Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade [on Iranian ports] is going to remain,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona. “So you have a blockade, and unfortunately, we may have to start dropping bombs again.”
CatholicVote
NY Restored Catholic church wins architectural preservation award
By Grace Porto, April 16, 2026
Sacred Heart Church near Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, is receiving the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s 2026 Lucy G. Moses award for outstanding architectural preservation projects. Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports that Sacred Heart Church, part of the Mary of Nazareth parish in Brooklyn, was designed in the 19th century and exemplifies the architectural style of Gothic revival, complete with brick masonry walls, limestone accents, stained-glass windows, decorative wood framing, and clerestory windows in the upper part of the church’s nave. The architects rebuilt the front facade and the side brick masonry parapets. They also rebuilt the wood frame, clerestory windows, stained glass windows, and front doors. The conservancy remarked that “In an age where many historic churches face deferred maintenance or closure, this project illustrates successful, faith-driven preservation, blending architectural expertise with community commitment to safeguard New York’s rich ecclesiastical legacy.”
CRUX
Pope Leo chastises journos spinning Africa trip as rebuke of Trump
By Elise Ann Allen, April 18, 2026
On his flight from Yaoundé to the Angolan capital of Luanda, Pope Leo XIV hit back against the media narrative that his speeches in Africa on peace are a response to recent attacks by United States President Donald Trump. Speaking to the roughly 65 journalists on board his April 18 flight from Cameroon to Angola as part of his 11-day odyssey to Africa, the pope lamented that “there’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate” about the trip. This false narrative, he said, came about “because of the political situation created when on the first day of the trip the President of the United States made some comments about myself … Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary trying to interpret what has been said,” Leo told journalists, using his speech in Bamenda as an example. He added, “… it was looked at as if I was trying to debate, again, the president, which is not my interest at all.”
Related: Takeaways From the Trump vs. Pope Leo Debacle - The Editors - It’s a good time to reflect on some of the lessons we can learn from it, National Catholic Register, April 17, 2026
National Catholic Register
Economics 101: From Catholic priests, monks, and theologians
By Solène Tadié, April 17, 2026
As concerns over inflation, savings, and economic stability continue to dominate public debate, the roots of modern financial wisdom are too often reduced to modern, secular theories. Yet some of the most enduring principles of economic life were first articulated not by economists, but by Catholic priests, monks, and theologians. Catholic thinkers from the Middle Ages to the late Renaissance were already articulating the principles that would later define it — reflecting deeply on money, property, markets, and human behavior. Useful principles include that private property is not only legitimate but necessary. Catholic tradition has long recognized that a healthy economic order presupposes the possibility to accumulate capital. “The Franciscans were not the ‘first economists,’” Todeschini writes, “but rather those who made their appearance possible in later centuries.” Lastly, the “just price” (pretium iustum), instead of being imposed externally, emerges organically within the market itself.
EWTN News, aciafrica, & CWR for 4/18/26
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — April 18, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, with updates on the Holy Father's words and the Holy See.
Pope Leo’s Algeria visit revives memory of pro-independence clergy - By Madalaine Elhabbal - Memories of Algeria’s independence struggle stirred by pope’s visit, Catholic film on dating makes splash in Vietnam, Kenyan bishops make plea for marriage, and more in this week’s world news roundup.
John Prevost discusses life as the pope’s brother: ‘We always knew that he had that calling’ - By Tessa Gervasini - In his role as pope, Prevost said he believes his brother is bringing people to the faith. He said: “Iʼve had people come to the door and tell me … ‘I wanted to let you know because of your brother, Iʼm coming back.’”
Vatican halts sainthood cause of Jesuit priest, gulag survivor Walter Ciszek - By Kate Quiñones - After the Vatican halted the sainthood cause of Father Walter Ciszek, a proponent of his cause said the suspension “does not diminish the enduring spiritual value” of Ciszek’s witness.
aciafrica
aciafrica’s top headlines — April 18, 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.
Students Share Concerns on Migration, Technology with Pope Leo XIV At Catholic University of Central Africa Meeting - Apr 18, 2026 - By Joseph Pronechen - Students have voiced concerns about migration, declining faith, and the pressures of the digital age as they met Pope Leo XIV at the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC) on Friday, April 17.
“A strong confirmation”: Catholic Bishop in Algeria Reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Visit - Apr 17, 2026 - By ACI Africa Staff - The April 13-15 Apostolic Journey of Leo XIV to Algeria has been a pastoral affirmation of a small but enduring Catholic presence in the predominantly Muslim nation.
Presbyterian Church in Cameroon Hails Pope’s Peace Meeting as Timely Sign of Ecumenical Collaboration - Apr 17, 2026 - By Nicholas Waigwa - The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has commended Pope Leo XIV’s special audience with faith leaders in Cameroon, terming the encounter as “a strong expression of ecumenical collaboration.”
Catholic World Report
CWR’s Columns, Analysis, & Features - April 18, 2026
Catholic World Report is a free online magazine that examines the news from a faithful Catholic perspective.
The Secure Bond Marriage Needs Today - Jennifer S. Bryson, April 17, 2026 - In 1949, Ida Friederike Görres wrote, “That which is unnatural … people say, is indissolubility.” She disagreed. By 1971, in her final book, What Binds Marriage Forever (CUA Press, 2026), she saw she saw that this argument was one of the battering rams used by the sexual liberationists pushing for divorce and remarriage
Reflections on a week when madness overwhelmed public discourse - Marcus Peter, April 17, 2026 - Live the faith steadily and, perhaps equally important, don’t lose your sense of humor. A little jocularity helps when the circus insists on calling itself statesmanship.
Bloodletting and the Triumph of the Cross - Father Jerry J. Pokorsky, April 17, 2026 - God’s image is found in the unity of the human person—body and soul. But the Devil rages against the Divine image imprinted on the human heart.
Nutshell reflections for 4/18/26:
USCCB Daily Reflection: AUDIO - April 18, 2026
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Catholic Stand
Toxic tolerance of a confused age
By M. L. Kramer, April 18, 2026
Tolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons (Venerable Fulton J. Sheen). In our culture, “pity” and “tolerance” have been wrenched from truth and nailed to sentiment. What now parades as mercy is often nothing more than a refusal to uphold what God has already judged. Such a refusal to judge is less an act of compassion than a gesture of complicity. A culture that elevates emotionalism above moral clarity will always confuse affirmation with love and silence with kindness. Once truth is treated as impolite and judgment as unchristian, the very virtues meant to defend the good become weapons for excusing evil. Toxic compassion refuses to name sin for fear of discomfort, substituting emotional ease for charity. Toxic tolerance treats truth as an offense and error as untouchable, punishing anyone who dares to distinguish between the two.
Here’s the thing
The disappointment of Hungary
By Austin Ruse, April 17, 2026
Viktor Orbán knew all along that Hungary was closely aligned with France, Germany, the UK, and even the Nordics in promoting gender ideology and abortion. But he did nothing about it. When we have told conservative friends and allies about Hungary at the UN, there is, if not shock, at least surprise. Hungary has refused to fight against the phrase sexual and reproductive health and rights even though this phrase is used by the EU to push abortion and sex-rejecting procedures around the world. They have refused to push back against the phrase sexual orientation and gender identity even though this is used by EU and UN bodies to push the gender agenda upon school kids all over the world. In recent months, they voted against the phrase “child porn,” favoring instead a phrase, dictated by Brussels, that allows nations to decriminalize virtual child pornography. How could Hungary support gender ideology or abortion in UN policy? Hungary is so solid! In the end, we do not mourn Orban's exit. We are not hopeful, but let us see what the new guy will do.
First Things
The USCCB’s ‘Just War’ error
By Richard Cassleman, April 16, 2025
Just war is again being discussed in the public square by policymakers and prelates alike. Recently, the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Doctrine, Bishop James Massa, made a clarification about just war in response to comments from the president and vice president. Given the war in Iran, there is no better time for such a conversation. While much of Bishop Massa’s statement could be interpreted as a defense of the pope, I feel compelled to correct the record on the just war tradition. First, the discussion of just war in the public square is a welcome occurrence. The core of Bishop Massa’s statement regards just war’s inherent defensive nature. “That is, to be a just war, it must be a defense against another who actively wages war.” This statement is incorrect. Self-defense against an enemy actively engaged in war is by no means the only justification. The classical authors spend little effort arguing for self-defense because it is so clearly justified. The Church has not used precise language regarding war in recent history, and the political community is perennially under pressure to use force to solve its problems.
The Catholic Thing
The politics of shill
By David Warren, April 17, 2026
The pope may be many things in many contexts, but he should avoid becoming a shill for the Democratic Party. This is how he came across when he delivered a political statement just after being visited by David Axelrod, Obama’s behind-the-scenes heavy. The effect was redoubled when leading liberal Cardinals, including Chicago’s Blase Cupich, put on a media floorshow to promote the pope’s “message to America.” It was prattle we had heard many times before, from nice, peaceful politicians like Jimmy Carter: peace-not-war, appeasement, and negotiation at any price. When he was only Cardinal Robert Prevost, on Twitter, he proclaimed simplistic Leftism, along with Democratic talking points, and open immigration. The role of political trolls has now migrated, along with other disagreeable creatures, to the Left in both America and Western Europe. Christ’s expression, “Forgive them for they know not what they do,” is one that we should all meditate upon. It is not a spiritual advantage to be terminally stupid.
Image of Coconut by Celio Nicoli from Pixabay
Listen to an audio podcast of today’s Catholic Nutshell News on the Substack App!
At the top of your phone, while in the app and reading a post, you can press the ▶️ play button and have Catholic Nutshell News read to you every day …
