Catholic Nutshell News: Tuesday 8/18/26
Catholics should know: Excommunicated priest calls Popes ‘usurpers’; Europe’s tallest statue of Mary; Catholics: Use wealth to help poor; & Agreement with China - a ‘deal with the devil'
“I’ll pray for thee from my pistachio tree”
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Our Sunday Visitor
Priest laicized, excommunicated for calling Popes ‘usurpers’
By Simone Orendain, August 17, 2026
A priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio who was “found guilty of schism” has been removed from the clerical state and excommunicated, according to the archbishop of the archdiocese. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller announced Aug. 14 that a tribunal of canon lawyers authorized by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith found John Mary Foster guilty of “a crime against the faith for his refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff.” In the letter announcing the April 20 sentence, the archbishop said, “Mr. Foster has chosen to reject the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church by his words and actions. He has publicly referred to Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV as ‘usurpers.’” Foster was ordained a priest in 1987 for the Congregation of St. John, an international religious community based in France. In 2001, he founded an organization called Mission of Divine Mercy. Based in Canyon Lake, Texas, the group has offered retreats and sacramental ministry, with a lay branch called Amici Christi. In 2009, Foster was incardinated in the San Antonio diocese after ministering in Laredo, Texas.
Zeale
Late-term abortion law splits Massachusetts Democrats
By Elise Winland, August 17, 2026
Massachusetts’ newly signed law removing the state’s 24-week gestational limit on abortion has exposed rare divisions among Democratic lawmakers in the state, some of whom have described the measure as extreme. Signed by Gov. Maura Healey on Aug. 10, the law allows abortions at any stage during pregnancy “based upon the professional judgment of the physician.” It takes effect Nov. 8. As Zeale News previously reported, the legislation has drawn condemnation from many pro-lifers and Catholics, including CatholicVote CEO Kelsey Reinhardt, who called on Massachusetts’ bishops to clarify whether Healey excommunicated herself from the Catholic Church. Nine Massachusetts House Democrats joined every Republican who voted against the bill, which passed the state House 119-33 on July 22. The Senate approved it in a 15-4 standing vote. State Rep. Jeffrey Turco, D-Winthrop, called it “an extremist and dangerous position” that “allows abortion anytime, unrestricted, and in many cases, publicly funded until the moment of birth.”
EWTN News
Poland inaugurates Europe’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary
By Eduardo Berdejo, August 17, 2026
On Saturday, Aug. 15, on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church in Poland dedicated Europe's largest statue of the Virgin Mary during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Krzysztof Wętkowski of Włocławek. The monument stands 55.6 meters (182 feet) tall from ground level to its highest point. It was built in the town of Konotopie and funded by a married couple, Grażyna and Roman Karkosik, for whom it represents a “personal vow of thanksgiving for the recovery of their health and lives,” according to Euronews. Its height exceeds that of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, which measures 38 meters (125 feet) from its base; it is also taller than the Christ the King of the Universe statue in Świebodzin, Poland, which stands 52.5 meters (172 feet) tall when measured from the mound upon which it rises. According to Vatican News, the statue depicts Our Lady of Mercy and is located near a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, which serves as a pilgrimage site.
CBCP News
Papal nuncio urges Catholics to use wealth to help the poor
By CBCP News, August 18, 2026
Catholics should use their wealth to help the poor, whose gratitude may one day welcome them into heaven, papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown said Monday. Preaching at the opening Mass of the 70th national assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies-Philippines at Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, he said material possessions become an obstacle when they keep people from following Christ and serving others. The Aug. 17 to 20 assembly gathered dozens of diocesan mission directors and animators in Tacloban City to strengthen the Church’s missionary work. Reflecting on the Gospel of the rich young man, Brown urged Catholics to examine what they value and where their hearts are directed. He said Jesus did not teach that wealth itself is evil but called people to use their resources generously and responsibly. “We need to ask ourselves always, what is valuable to me? What am I aiming for in the end? What is my ultimate goal?” Brown said.
National Catholic Register
The world’s first love: What Fulton Sheen teaches about Mary
By Msgr. Jason Gray, August 17, 2026
The most pivotal “Yes” in human history — Mary’s humble obedience to God — paved the way for human salvation. Mary became the Mother of God, and her perfect obedience culminated in her Assumption into Heaven and her coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth. The life and writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen highlight that Mary was the only person, aside from Jesus, who attained the perfect ideal to which God calls each of us. Venerable Fulton Sheen lived his belief that Mary epitomized the freedom and love that every faithful Catholic is called to. As his Sept. 24 beatification approaches, Catholics should learn from his profound insights and devotion to the Blessed Mother. Archbishop Sheen’s life was marked by his devotion to Mary. His mother dedicated him to the Blessed Mother when he was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in El Paso, Illinois. Sheen’s devotion to Mary was subtly present in every letter and television program — from the content of his teachings to the quiet “JMJ” at the top of every paper and blackboard he used.
Zenit
Jewish woman new head of Catholic Biblical Association of America
By ZENIT Staff, August 15, 2026
The election of Amy-Jill Levine as president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America is more than an academic milestone. It is also a telling sign of how far Catholic-Jewish relations have evolved since the Second Vatican Council and of the growing conviction among many biblical scholars that understanding Jesus more deeply requires understanding the Jewish world in which He lived. On July 20, the association confirmed Levine as its president for 2026-2027, making her the first Jewish scholar ever to lead the organization in its ninety-year history. Her rise to the presidency stems from a career dedicated to helping Christians read the New Testament through the lens of its original Jewish context. Founded in 1936 by American Catholic biblical scholars, the association originally focused on translating and studying Scripture for Catholic audiences. Over time, however, it grew into an international scholarly network that now includes more than 1,070 members worldwide, including Catholics, Protestants, and Jewish academics.
The Pillar
A married couple starts on the road to canonization together
By Edgar Beltrán, August 12, 2026
After 14 years of work, the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints received last month the official biographies of Servants of God Tomás and Paquita Alvira, paving the way for the next step in the beatification causes of a Spanish couple frequently celebrated as an example of Christian married life. Their cause is one of the few “joint” causes of beatification for a modern married couple, much like the cases of Blessed Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini, a couple beatified in 2001 by Saint John Paul II, and Saints Louis Martin and Zelie Guerin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux. Fr. José Carlos Martín de la Hoz, postulator of the cause, said, “Tomás — carrying forward his professional work while also seeing to his children’s upbringing — and Paquita — who bore the weight of raising the children and running the household — fell deeply in love with one another, and through that human love managed to build a Christian home together.”
Crux
Vatican’s agreement with China is a ‘deal with the devil’
By Fionn Shiner, August 18, 2026
A leading Catholic lawmaker in the UK’s House of Lords is saying the Vatican’s secret deal with the Chinese government has caused the Church to remain silent on “gross violations” of religious freedom and has led to the betrayal of the underground Church in the country. Lord David Alton of Liverpool, a key signatory to a petition launched by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calling on countries to fulfill the obligations of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which defends religious freedom, spoke with Crux Now about the ongoing ACN campaign. “In the case of the Chinese Communist regime, it is making a deal with the devil — a regime which has committed genocide against Uyghur Muslims and persecutes Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and Chinese Christians,” Alton said. “Fear of upsetting the Chinese Communist Party has led the Vatican to remain silent about gross violations of religious freedom,” he said.
Keep informed - 8/18/26 news for Catholics
Snippets: Pulpit, EWTN, & Aleteia
BIG PULPIT
Tito Edwards’ Catholic blogger site: August 18, 2026
The Big Pulpit website is an intelligent news aggregator offering insights and analysis on the Catholic Church worldwide. Here are Chief Editor Tito Edwards’ top recommendations for today.
Vatican City Mints New Coins Featuring Face of Pope Leo XIV – Toronto Catholic Register
Pope Leo XIV on Liturgy: Priests Must Remain Faithful to Mass Rubrics – EWTN News
Hospitality Becomes Holy: St. Martha – Alexandra Greeley at Catholic Stand Magazine
Review: Science, Reason, & Faith Catholic Study Bible (R.S.V.-C.E.) – Marc at Catholic Bible Talk
EWTN News
EWTN’s top headlines — August 18, 2026
EWTN News provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See, and is available to anyone with internet access.
Sydney archbishop asks Australia news outlet to investigate its euthanasia coverage - By Michael Cook - Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP, of Sydney has demanded an investigation from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) over its coverage of calls to lift the federal ban on using telehealth and other carriage services for voluntary assisted dying (VAD), as euthanasia and assisted suicide are termed in Australian law.
Pope names 2 Notre Dame professors as consultors to Vatican human development dicastery - By Ishmael Adibuah - Pope Leo XIV renewed the leadership of the dicastery at the end of June by appointing Italian economist Sister Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, to succeed Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, as prefect, and Italian Cardinal Fabio Baggio, CS, who has been the dicastery’s undersecretary since 2022, to serve as pro-prefect alongside Smerilli.
St. Bernadette’s relics to tour the United States - By Tessa Gervasini - Following the opening, the relics will continue on a yearlong pilgrimage. Housed in a 132-pound reliquary, the relics will visit about 140 locations and stop at cathedrals, basilicas, shrines, seminaries, Catholic universities, hospitals, and parishes.
Aleteia
Aleteia’s global network reports for August 18, 2026
Aleteia (aleteia.org) is an online publication distributed in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, and Slovenian). Launched in 2013, it is one of the world’s leading news websites with content free from ideological influences.
When the school year gets off to a rocky start - Cerith Gardiner, 08/18/26 - We put an awful lot of pressure on the first days of school. There are the new shoes, carefully packed backpacks, obligatory front-door photographs, and hopeful instructions to "have a wonderful day!"
Saints who teach us to dialogue when we disagree - Learning to dialogue with people who think differently than we do is vital for healthy interpersonal relationships. Read about four saints who are great examples.
Lebanese president to visit Pope Leo in Vatican - As the conflict in Lebanon continues, and negotiations struggle, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun seeks support from the “spiritual father” of the Lebanese.
August 18, 2026 - USCCB Daily Mass Readings
You can listen HERE - or read HERE:
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Catholic commentary:
Dominica
Queen of Heaven: A historical perspective
By Br. Pier Giorgio Gould, May 5, 2026
To understand who the heavenly queen is, we can look at the Bible’s historical context from ancient Near East kingdoms. In Mariology: A Guide for Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, and Consecrated Persons, Dr. Edward Sri points out that in kingdoms like Egypt, Assyria, and Ancient Israel, kings typically practiced polygamy and had many wives. As a result, the queen was not one of the king’s many wives but his mother, because he only had one! Sri points out that the king's mother was given special “preeminence” and received the title “Gebirah,” which means “Great Lady” (468). Therefore, if Christ is King of heaven, then his mother is queen. Sri also notes that as the Gebirah, the king’s mother was influential in all affairs pertaining to the kingdom. The Gebirah had the special power and privilege of helping her son guide and govern his kingdom. In the heavenly kingdom, Mary has the same special privilege and holds that same office.
Missio Dei Catholic
You are a man, and not a god
By Deacon Michael Halbrook, August 18, 2026
The prince of Tyre is not a fool. He is, by the text’s own account, extraordinarily gifted. “Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel, there is no secret that is beyond you.” He has applied his wisdom to commerce and accumulated real wealth. He has built something impressive. And from that accumulated gift and that accumulated wealth, he has drawn a conclusion that the gifts themselves seemed to authorize: “A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!” This is what God reframes through Ezekiel: “And yet you are a man, and not a god, however you may think yourself like a god.” It’s neither a rebuke of his wisdom nor a denial of his gifts. Instead, it clarifies what the gifts mean and what they don’t. The wisdom and wealth are real. The conclusion drawn from them - that he has transcended the creaturely condition, that he is his own highest authority, that he sits on a divine throne of his own making — is false.
Zenit
Vatican will participate in the Mediterranean ‘Olympics’
By Valentina di Giorgio, August 17, 2026
As thousands of athletes prepare to compete on the shores of southern Italy, the Holy See is arriving at the Mediterranean Games with ambitions that reach far beyond medals, rankings or podium finishes. For Athletica Vaticana, the Vatican’s official sports association, the event in Taranto is being presented as a living laboratory of dialogue in one of the world’s most complex and symbolically charged regions: the Mediterranean. From August 21 to September 3, the twentieth edition of the Mediterranean Games will gather around 4,000 athletes from 26 countries spanning Europe, Africa and Asia. Among them will be four competitors representing the Vatican in three disciplines: padel, fencing and cycling. Numerically, theirs is one of the smallest delegations in the competition. Symbolically, however, it carries a mission that Vatican officials view as central to the Church’s engagement with contemporary sport.
Catholic Stand
Hospitality becomes holy, exemplified in St. Martha
By Alexandra Greeley, August 17, 2026
Honored each year on July 29, Saint Martha became a serious person in Christ’s era. Sister of Saint Mary Magdala and Saint Lazarus, she came from the village of Bethany, several miles from Jerusalem. As biblical history notes, Jesus “loved” these three and often stayed at St. Martha’s home. St. Martha was certainly among the first to believe in Jesus. Her impact on Christ and his disciples has earned her a saintly reputation. For example, in Saint Luke’s Gospel, 10:38-42, he described St. Martha as toiling in the kitchen while her sister sat at Christ’s feet. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.” His words helped St. Martha understand that even noteworthy work can conceal the merits of the interior life dedicated to prayer and the Word of God that feeds the soul. These define the value of people’s daily activities. In St. Martha’s situation, scripture praises her for her work to feed her guests. That was a model of diligence in helping others and a strong witness of faith.
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