Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 10/1/25
Topics include: China bishops travel to Ireland; Durbin declines Chicago Archdiocese award; ‘Gay-Washed’ Bible; & Renewed efforts to end death penalty
“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Today's sources are the CRUX, Catholic Culture, National Catholic Register, CatholicVote, The Pillar, Aleteia, and CNA. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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.
The Tablet
Three bishops from the Catholic Church in China traveled to Ireland
By Sarah Mac Donald, September 30, 2025
Bishop Guo Jincai of Chengde diocese is vice president of the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China. He was joined by Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui of Fuzhou diocese and Bishop Sun Wenjun of Weifang diocese, as well as Fr Wang Dongcheng, canon lawyer and lecturer at the National Seminary in Beijing. “We have had some informal but quite serious exchanges,” Dr Séamus O’Connell, professor of sacred history at St Patrick’s College, told The Tablet. He explained that the visit by the Chinese delegation followed a 2018 visit to China by representatives of Maynooth. Dr O’Connell paid tribute to the Missionary Society of St Columban, whose links with China had “provided the foundation and the context” for the visit. The visit to China occurred in the year the Columbans celebrated the centenary of their foundation as the Maynooth Mission to China.
Catholic News Agency
Durbin declines Chicago Archdiocese award
By Daniel Payne, September 30, 2025
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, will decline an award from the Archdiocese of Chicago after global backlash over his strong pro-abortion views that included comments from Pope Leo XIV and criticism from U.S. bishops. Chicago archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich announced Durbin’s decision in a Sept. 30 statement, revealing that Durbin informed the prelate that he “decided not to receive [the] award” at the archdiocesan Keep Hope Alive celebration on Nov. 5. Durbin was scheduled to receive a “Lifetime Achievement Award for support to immigrants” at the event. Cupich’s announcement brings an end to a chaotic late September in which his brother bishops in the U.S. criticized the decision to grant Durbin the award, citing the Democratic senator’s long track record of pro-abortion politics.
Related: Pope weighs in on Durbin controversy hours before senator declines award, By Crux Staff, CRUX, Oct 1, 2025
Catholic Culture
U.S. bishops approve ‘Gay-Washed’ Bible
By Peter Wolfgang, September 30, 2025
News broke yesterday on the Catholic Bible Talk blog that a Catholic Edition of the New Revised Standard Version updated edition (NRSVue) has been approved by the USCCB. According to Catholic Bible Talk: The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) owns the rights to NRSVue Bible translation, as well as the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and their derivatives, including the Catholic Editions. I wrote an article for Catholic Answers three years ago, attempting to halt or slow the issuance of an imprimatur for the NRSVue, citing Robert A.J. Gagnon, a Protestant Scripture scholar whose work is respected across denominational lines, particularly in the areas of the Bible and homosexuality. It was Gagnon who first warned that the NRSVue “gaywashes” the Bible. “They have now changed ‘sodomites’ to the nebulous ‘men who engage in illicit sex,’ [in 1 Corinthians 6:9] which does not indicate to English readers the connection to homosexual practice provided by the Greek word.
CRUX
Catholics joining rescue efforts for collapsed Islamic school
By Nirmala Carvalho, October 1, 2025
Following the collapse on Monday of a historic Islamic boarding school in East Java, Indonesia, that left three students dead and roughly 100 injured, the local bishop has said that Catholics are mobilizing to take part in relief efforts. Bishop Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo of Surabaya, located about 15 miles from the site of the disaster, said, “The Catholic Church is currently involved in taking part in a public kitchen for rescuers and victims’ families who are waiting for the discovery of the victims behind the rubble,” Utomo said, noting there’s a Catholic parish around a mile and half from the school. Reports suggest that at least 90 students are buried in the rubble after the collapse of the building, apparently caused by the unauthorized construction of an additional two floors atop the original two-story structure.
The Pillar
Strasbourg vicar general has open abuse case
By Luke Coppen, September 30, 2025
A senior official in France’s troubled Strasbourg archdiocese has said he mistakenly told media that a canonical case for child sexual abuse against a reinstated vicar general was closed when it was in fact open. Canon Jean-Luc Liénard told the French investigative outlet Mediapart Sept. 29 that he had misunderstood the situation surrounding Canon Hubert Schmitt, who was controversially reinstated as a vicar general in July before resigning in early September. Liénard, who is also a vicar general, said: “I realized that my partial knowledge of the case led to a misunderstanding of it, hence my misinterpretation. The canonical proceedings concerning Canon Schmitt are continuing.” The admission comes weeks after an anonymous group of priests in the archdiocese in eastern France issued an appeal for a new apostolic visitation
Vatican News
Renewed efforts to end death penalty in Respect Life Month
By Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, October 1, 2025
Celebrated each October in the U.S. Catholic Church, Respect Life Month is an invitation to reflect more deeply on the God-given dignity of all human life. During this month, Catholics across the United States recommit themselves to uplifting this core tenet of our faith: the belief that every life is sacred. The death penalty falls squarely on the continuum of life issues. Taking the life of any person—innocent or guilty—is an affront to the sanctity of life. Such valuing of life is especially challenged this month, when eight men are scheduled to be executed in seven states. “There is no past so ruined, no history so compromised that it cannot be touched by God’s mercy... No place is too far away, no heart is too closed, no tomb too tightly sealed for His love,” said Pope Leo XIV recently said during a General Audience:
UCA News
Christian family forced to flee village in central Indian state
By UCA News reporter, October 1, 2025
An indigenous Christian family of four, including two children, has been forced to flee their village in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh for refusing to give up their faith amid threats and violence by a right-wing Hindu mob. “We will not give up our faith in Jesus under any pressure,” said Sodi Deva, who alleged that the mob of 60 attacked and destroyed his house in Mukaram village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Sept. 28. “They told us to give up Christianity and return to the indigenous faith as a condition to remain in the village,” Deva told UCA News on Oct. 1. The family has taken shelter at a friend’s house in a nearby village. “We are totally clueless about what’s next,” Deva said. He said his family became Christians about three years ago. But soon began to face opposition “because of my faith in Jesus,” he lamented.
National Catholic Register
How to respond to the cross-dressing man at Mass?
By E. Christian Brugger, September 29, 2025
After examining reasons why such incidents are so harmful, I will consider the question from three perspectives: the young man himself presenting himself for Holy Communion, the other parishioners, and the parish priest. There are four “harms” involved — confusing the young, scandalizing the weak, discouraging and alienating the faithful, and harming himself. The young are especially vulnerable to confusion by the errors of gender ideology, especially young men and women who themselves suffer from confused feelings about their bodies. We don’t want to underestimate how confusing disordered expressions of sex and gender can be for children, even young children. Permitting a cross-dressing man to receive Holy Communion could lead vulnerable people into sin. This man’s example might also discourage and alienate the faithful who believe — frequently for good reasons — that Catholic pastors are not strong enough in their opposition to evils that threaten the faith and life of Catholics.
From Loop & Agency to Pillar Post for 10/1/25
CatholicVote: Daily LOOP
Read daily news and political impact stories at the “LOOP”
Elections and politics matter. The LOOP gives you daily gems on the news that 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.”
POPE FAVORS TRUMP PEACE PLAN FOR GAZA - The Pope yesterday welcomed President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, calling it a “realistic proposal” and urging Hamas to accept the deal.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATES ABORTION COVER-UP - The Department of Education took action against Fairfax County Public Schools this week after reports surfaced that school officials scheduled, paid for, and covered up a student’s abortion without informing the minor’s parents.
DC ARCHBISHOP DENOUNCES TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICY - Cardinal Robert W. McElroy sharply denounced the Trump administration’s immigration policies during a Sept. 28 Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., calling them a “comprehensive governmental assault designed to produce fear and terror.”
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — October 1, 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 happenings of the Holy See to anyone with internet access.
Pope Leo XIV says Hegseth’s talk of war is ‘worrying’ - Sep 30, 2025 - By CNA Staff - Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday said the U.S. Department of Defense secretary’s way of speaking about war is “worrying.”
Cardinal to catechists: If your faith isn’t meaningful to you, it won’t be to your students - Sep 30, 2025 - By Walter Sánchez Silva - Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa told catechism teachers that if faith is not meaningful in their lives, then it will not be in their students’ lives either.
Brooklyn bishop calls on faithful to lobby against New York assisted suicide legislation - Sep 30, 2025 - By Tessa Gervasini - Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan has asked the faithful to contact New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and urge her to oppose New York's assisted suicide legislation.
The Pillar
Pillar Post for Friday, 10/1/25
The Pillar offers a daily news summary, their capsule take on the Catholic News. Here’s J.D. Flynn’s analysis of the news from yesterday’s Pillar Post:
Cardinal Michael Czerny has had a front row seat to the first months of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate - Since the election of Pope Leo XIV in May, there has been no shortage of speculation about what the priorities of the new pope will be. To Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, it is clear that social issues, including migration, world peace, and the environment, are close to the heart of Pope Leo.
Pope Leo accepted the resignation of a scandal-plagued Peruvian bishop last week - In a move that indicates the pontiff’s plans for his adopted home country, and his approach to appointing bishops and dealing with scandal around the world, the resignation of Bishop Ciro Quispe Lópe could be the beginning of a Leonine reshaping of the Peruvian episcopate.
In Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, the number of people annually defecting from the Church is declining, significantly. This does not mean that Catholic demographics are stabilizing in the region, but the decline is slowing down.
Nutshell reflections for 10/1/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection Audio - October 1, 2025
Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Aleteia
Novena for USA’s only apparition of Our Lady
By Daniel Esparza, October 1, 2024
Adele Brise (1831–1896) was a Belgian immigrant who settled with her family near present-day Champion, Wisconsin. Partially blind after a childhood accident, she earned a reputation for cheerfulness and steady faith. In October 1859 she reported an encounter with Mary, who asked her to “gather the children and teach them what they should know for salvation.” October 9 is the established anniversary day of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s second and third apparitions to Adele, and the date of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion. The site of her encounter with Mary is now the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion — the first and only Marian apparition in the United States judged “worthy of belief” by the Catholic Church. Whether you’re Catholic or just open to praying for the good of others, this is a simple, meaningful nine-day practice rooted in Adele’s mission.
National Catholic Register
Kieran Culkin wins Oscar & announces baby No. 3 is on the way
By Alyssa Murphy, September 30, 2025
After Kieran Culkin’s Oscar speech went viral earlier this year — when he charmingly recalled a “baby bet” he and his wife had made — the internet is aflutter with the news that the couple’s third child is on the way. Kieran’s wife, Jazz, revealed the big news Sunday evening at the opening night of the Broadway show Waiting for Godot, starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Culkin, who grew up Catholic, was accepting the “Best Supporting Actor” award for his role in Jesse Eisenberg’s film A Real Pain. With the news of another Culkin on the way, many pro-lifers are celebrating the most awesome award to come from any bet. Brad Wilcox of the National Marriage Project sees a silver lining in this viral news, telling the Register, “For so long, there’s been a real anti-natalist message emanating from Hollywood. Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton’s embrace of baby No. 3 is a welcome antidote.”
What We Need Now
Not more infantile claptrap
By Tracey Rowland, September 30, 2025
For those who missed it, the “Grace for the World” concert, held at St. Peter’s Square on September 13, is now available on demand on Disney+ for all subscribers. I did not see the concert, and I won’t be paying Disney money to view it. Who was it for? What was it meant to achieve? Did someone really think that inviting people from the seedier quarters of the entertainment industry to sing in St. Peter’s Square would convert them to Christ or convert their followers to Christ? And if not, why have it? Why pay the Church’s money to people for some non-edifying performance (Bocelli’s Schubert recital and Frasina excepted) that scandalizes faithful Catholics? This has the hallmarks of a warmed-up correlationism—the idea that the best way to evangelize the world is to correlate the faith to whatever is regarded as fashionable. Joseph Ratzinger understood better than any theologian of his generation how profoundly puerile the correlationist approach to evangelization is.
Missio Dei
I will follow you wherever you go
By Andrew McGovern, October 1, 2025
“I will follow you wherever you go.” Luke 9:57. Now, the context of this verse, if we read on, is that Our Lord reminds this disciple that He has no home to call His own and no place to “rest His head.” While this is undoubtedly the case for Christ, who came to His own and His own knew Him not, it is also a reminder that if we follow Christ, then our place is not in this world either. While we are meant to be in the world, we are not to be of the world. We do not know who the disciple was who said this line in the Gospel of Luke. We do not know if they truly did follow Our Lord wherever He went. We can only hope that they did. What we do know, however, is that the Blessed Mother is the one disciple who can truly embody this phrase as she is the only one who never left His side, and it is in imitation of her that we can genuinely say this phrase as well.
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
Catholic Nutshell News is a subscription service hosted by SubStack. Get up to a dozen recent articles from Monday to Saturday to review regarding newsworthy issues. An easy way to browse top Catholic news and information services on the net. Edited by John Pearring.
Listen to an audio podcast of today’s Catholic Nutshell News on the Substack App!
At the top of your phone, while in the Substack app to read our post, you can press the ▶️ play button and have Catholic Nutshell News read to you daily …
