Catholic Nutshell News: Saturday 5/3/25
Topics include: Priests told to break ‘Seal of Confession’, Massacres in Nigeria, Why St. James ‘the Lesser’, & First Amendment fracture: Catholic charter schools
“We see through new tender verdant pecan leaves”
Today's news sources are Aleteia, CRUX, Catholic News Agency, Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, Aleteia, and 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
Governor signs abuse bill: Priests told to break ‘Seal of Confession’
By Daniel Payne/CNA, May 3, 2025
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Friday signed a controversial state law that requires priests to report child abuse to authorities even if they learn of it during the sacrament of confession. The measure, introduced in the state legislature earlier this year, adds clergy to the list of mandatory abuse reporters in the state, but doesn't include an exemption for information learned in the confessional. A 2023 version of the proposal had offered an exemption for abuse allegations learned “solely as a result of a confession.” The latest bill does not contain such a carve-out, and in fact explicitly notes that clergy do not qualify for a “privileged communication” exemption. Spokane Bishop Thomas Daly, meanwhile, said in a Friday statement that clergy there would not break the seal of confession even if required to by law.
Catholic News Agency
Priest recounts massacres in Nigeria during Lent & Holy Week
By Abah Anthony John, May 3, 2025
In the aftermath of this year’s Holy Week massacres in Nigeria’s Plateau and Benue states that reportedly left over 170 people dead, the pastor of St. Joseph Aboki Parish in the Diocese of Katsina-Ala, Father Moses Aondoanenge Igba, shared firsthand testimony of the deadly attacks, carried out by Fulani herders. Over 170 Christians were reportedly killed during Lent and Holy Week in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, with at least 72 deaths reported in Benue state alone during the Easter Triduum, between April 18–20. The attacks, allegedly by Fulani militants, targeted Christian farming communities in Ukum and Logo counties, raising concerns over religious persecution and government inaction in the West African nation.
Agenzia Fides
Father Ibrahim Amos, kidnapped from his home, is free
By Agenzia Fides, April 30, 2025
Father Ibrahim Amos, parish priest of St. Gerald Quasi Church in Kurmin Risga, a village in the Kauru district of Kaduna state in northwestern Nigeria, has been released. This was announced by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in a statement. He was abducted from his home in Kurmin Risga in the early morning of April 24 (see Fides, 4/25/2025). According to Father Jacob Shanet, chancellor of the Diocese of Kafanchan, the priest returned home “unharmed” after the abduction. In the statement released on the day of the kidnapping, Father Shanet thanked the faithful for their prayers and affection: “We thank God and all those who prayed with us during such a dark and terrible time.” “May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, Religious, and all Angels, intercede for those still imprisoned and bring them safely back to their families and communities,” Father Shanet concluded.
Aleteia
Why is St. James known as ‘the Lesser’?
By Philip Kosloski, May 3, 2025
Not surprisingly, little is known about the apostle “James the Lesser,” whose feast is, with St Philip, celebrated on May 3. There are many men in the New Testament with the name James, and two are identified as part of the group of original 12 apostles. There is James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee who are both apostles, and then there is James the Less, often identified as the “son of Alphaeus” as well as the “brother of the Lord.” This identity makes some scholars posit that James is a close cousin to Jesus, but besides that relation, hardly anything is mentioned about him or his past. According to EWTN, the “appellation [‘the Less’] is supposed to have taken its rise, either from his having been called later to the apostleship than the former, or from the lowness of his stature, or from his youth.” Essentially it was used to distinguish the two apostles with the same name.
CatholicVote
First Amendment faces fracture in Catholic charter school case
By Rachel Quackenbush, May 2, 2025
A legal battle over whether Oklahoma can exclude a Catholic school from its charter program has sparked a national debate about religious liberty and, according to one constitutional attorney, revealed a deeper fracture within the First Amendment itself. Philip Sechler, senior counsel and director of the Center for Free Speech at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), framed the dispute as a test of whether America understands the First Amendment’s religion clauses as working together or at odds. At issue is the state’s refusal to allow St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School to participate in Oklahoma’s charter school system. While the state permits a broad array of private groups to apply, it prohibits religious ones. “Already you can see the house dividing between one attorney general and the next,” Sechler wrote.
CRUX
American, Italian sites blame each other for fake news about Parolin
By Crux Staff, May 3, 2025
Fake news from the 2025 conclave, specifically a false report this past Wednesday about the health of front-running papal candidate Cardinal Pietro Parolin. At the moment, the American Catholic site CatholicVote.org and several Italian news agencies seem to be in a contest to see who can offload responsibility for the rumor on the other. On Wednesday, a report began to make the rounds that Parolin, 70, had fainted during that day’s General Congregation meeting of cardinals due to a spike in his blood pressure. After Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a flat denial during a press briefing on Friday, the medias sought to identify who was responsible for the report. No matter how one peels back the onion, two points about the Parolin rumor seem clear: First, that it was false, and second, that some American conservatives and Italian media alike seized upon it uncritically, presumably reflecting hostility to Parolin’s candidacy in certain quarters.
The PILLAR
UK court orders Vatican to pay Mincione millions in legal costs
By The Pillar, May 2, 2025
The High Court of England and Wales has ordered the Vatican Secretariat of State to pay millions of dollars in legal fees to Raffaele Mincione, the investment manager who sold the Vatican the building at the center of the London property scandal. the Secretariat of State was ordered to pay half the legal expenses, which totaled more than $9 million, incurred by Mincione and his investment company WRM during a lawsuit that concluded earlier this year over their business dealings with the Vatican. The court ruling ordered the Secretariat of State to make an immediate payment of $2 million within weeks, with further payments to be made following detailed assessment of expenses. The court order would appear to settle Mincione as the ultimate victor in the protracted legal battle, which has played out in the High Court since 2020. The Friday court order could draw the attention of the conclave to the years-long financial scandals which plagued the cardinal’s tenure in office.
The Times of Israel
IDF says Houthi missile intercepted, triggering Jerusalem sirens
By Emanuel Fabian, May 3, 2025
Yemen’s Houthi rebels early Saturday morning fired a ballistic missile at Israel, triggering sirens in Jerusalem and some areas of southern Israel, in the fourth attack by the Iran-backed terror group in some 25 hours. The Israel Defense Forces reported that the missile was successfully intercepted by air defenses. There were no reports of injuries or damage in the attack. On Friday, the Houthis fired two ballistic missiles at northern Israel, claiming to have targeted the Ramat David Airbase and the coastal city of Haifa. The IDF said both missiles, which set off sirens at 5:31 a.m. and 1:38 p.m., were intercepted. Additionally, on Friday evening, the IDF said a drone launched at Israel “from the east” — code for Yemen — was shot down by the Israeli Air Force. No sirens sounded “according to protocol.”
Other Israel News: Liveblog of Saturday, May 3, 2025: Waltz’s ‘intense coordination’ with Netanyahu on Iran strike contributed to firing - Waltz “wanted to take US policy in a direction Trump wasn’t comfortable with because the US hadn’t attempted a diplomatic solution,” one of the sources says.
From CNA & Big Pulpit to Satire for 5/3/25
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — May 3, 2025
Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See to anyone with access to the internet.
Sisters of Life celebrate life and legacy of Cardinal John O’Connor 25 years after his death - May 3, 2025 - By Tessa Gervasini - Today marks 25 years since the death of pro-life champion and founder of the Sisters of Life Cardinal John O’Connor.
Cardinal Arinze: ‘We want a pope who is full of fire for the kingdom of Christ’ - May 3, 2025 - By Courtney Mares - In an interview with EWTN earlier this year, 92-year-old Cardinal Francis Arinze reflected on the qualities needed in the next pope.
Catholic Scouting organization renews partnership with Boy Scouts - May 2, 2025 - By Jonah McKeown - The National Catholic Committee on Scouting announced a new memorandum of understanding with Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America.
The Big Pulpit
Tito Edwards Catholic blogger site: May 3, 2025
The Big Pulpit website is an intelligent news aggregator offering quality insight & analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide. Here are Chief Editor Tito Edward’s top recommendations for today.
Big Marketers Like Mastercard, PepsiCo & Nissan are Rethinking Pride Marketing – Wall Strt Jrnl
‘Peace’ Under Pressure: Christian Armenia Faces a Strategic Trap – National Catholic Register
How Does the Failure to Find Any Canadian Mass Graves Justify a Crime of ‘Denialism’? – CH
The Protestant Rejection of the Pope – Karlo Broussard at Catholic Answers Magazine
Babylon Bee’s Satire News
Are Your Kids Possessed By Demons Or Just Normal Toddlers? How To Tell The Difference
By Family Staff, May 3, 2024
You wake up in the middle of the night to discover a toddler has silently been staring at you for the last hour. Is it your normal child... or is it a demon? Parents have struggled with this question for thousands of years.
Normal Toddler: Head spins clockwise like a top as they projectile vomit across the room.
Demon-Possessed: Head spins counterclockwise.
Normal Toddler: Screams in an unintelligible language while writhing on the floor.
Demon-Possessed: Same, but sounds kind of Latin.
Normal Toddler: Tempts you to drink.
Demon-Possessed: Just made you an Old Fashioned.
Normal Toddler: Leaves footprints on the ceiling, somehow.
Demon-Possessed: Walks on ceiling but no footprints.
Nutshell reflections for 5/3/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection - AUDIO & VIDEO - May 3, 2025
Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Word on Fire
Who possesses the fullness of moral truth?
By José María Montiu de Nuix, May 3, 2025
Every day we encounter influential ideological currents that possess the following five characteristics. First, the only thing that counts is what their group says, and only because they have said it, whether true or good. Second, many of them promote the culture of death, and, in particular, induced abortion. Not infrequently, they lack religious or theistic principles. Third, they greatly influence power, politics, economics, and journalism. Fourth, to succeed, they rely on impositions, pressure, force, harassment, and overthrow of the opponent, demagoguery and paganization, etc. Fifth, sometimes, they resort to lies. Christian doctrine, in sharp contrast, serves truth and goodness. The Catholic religion possesses the fullness of moral truth and is the principal defender of life. For example, it condemns induced abortion.
The Catholic Thing
The need for a restoration of the Petrine office
By Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, May 3, 2025
Pope Francis’ tomb at St. Mary Major carried only the inscription “Franciscus.” The last papal tomb of any grandeur was that of Pope Pius XI, who died in 1939. Of the six popes between Pius XI and Francis, all had simple tombs when originally buried in the crypt of St. Peter’s. Three were above ground (Pius XII, John XXIII, John Paul I) and three below ground (Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI). The inscriptions were almost identical: Regnal Name PP Roman Numeral. So, Pius PP XII, Ioannes PP XXIII, Benedictus PP XVI. John Paul II’s original tombstone included the dates of his reign, which was singular. So why did Francis specify what was the usual practice? He evidently did not want the “PP,” postnominal letters that indicate pope or pontifex. He avoided the use of it in his papal signature as well. “Franciscus” is neither humble nor vain, neither formal nor informal, neither simple nor grand. It is a deliberate diminution of the Petrine office. Hence, the need for a restoration.
Bishop Barron
‘Master, show us the Father’
By Bishop Robert Barron, May 3, 2025
The disciples are gathered around Jesus at the Last Supper, abiding in intimacy with him, asking questions and seeking wisdom. Then listen to Jesus’ words: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Paul refers to Jesus as the “image of the invisible God.” What both Jesus and Paul are saying is that Jesus’ words are the Father’s words and his deeds are the Father’s deeds. Philip, one of the first disciples chosen, still doesn’t get this. He says, “Master, show us the Father.” What he missed was the humility of the Logos: “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.” Neither the words nor the deeds of Jesus are “his own.” They are received from the Father.
First Things
God and angels and demons have been cloistered away
By Peter J. Leithart, May 2, 2025
The split between “nature” and a “supernatural” realm above nature isn’t a permanent feature of human or even Western thought, but appeared in the relatively recent past, wrote Peter Harrison, one of today’s finest intellectual historians, in The Territories of Science and Religion. The split between “nature” and a “supernatural” realm above nature isn’t a permanent feature of human or even Western thought, but appeared in the relatively recent past. Once introduced, the dichotomy has shaped Western thought and society to the present. “Naturalism”—the ontological or methodological conviction that nature is self-creating and self-sustaining—is a by-product of the split, made thinkable only after “supernatural” forces like God and angels and demons were cloistered away in a supernatural realm far from the concerns of everyday life.
Image of Pecans by tseiu from Pixabay
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