Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 7/9/25
Topics include: Churches can endorse political candidates; Statue of Mary vandalized; New Mass for the Care of Creation; & Synod office loves business meetings
“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Today's sources are the CRUX, Catholic Culture, National Catholic Register, CatholicVote, The Pillar, OSV, Church Life Journal, and CNA. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic News Agency
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates
By Hannah Brockhaus, July 8, 2025
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this week backed off a decades-old rule first established during the Eisenhower administration, declaring for the first time since the 1950s that churches and other nonprofits can openly endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. The order resolves a lawsuit launched in August 2024 by a coalition of religious broadcasters, one that challenged the 1954 Johnson Amendment, which says that 501(c)(3) nonprofits may not “participate in or intervene in” political campaigns. Advocates have argued that the rule shields the nonprofit industry from caustic politics. The National Religious Broadcasters, meanwhile, said in its suit that the tax rule punished churches by “silenc[ing] their speech while providing no realistic alternative for operating in any other fashion.”
Related: Reacting to new IRS stance, USCCB emphasizes that Church does not endorse, oppose candidates, by Catholic World News, July 09, 2025
CatholicVote
Statue of Mary vandalized at New York parish
By McKenna Snow, July 8, 2025
The New York Police Department has arrested and charged a 38-year-old Queens resident with a hate crime of damaging a local church’s front doors and a statue of Our Lady, according to The Tablet. The outlet reports that on June 21 a parishioner contacted Father Sean Suckiel, pastor of Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows, after witnessing a vandal law enforcement officials have identified as Freddy Genao, using a crowbar to hit the church doors. Genao also destroyed part of the face of a statue of the Blessed Mother that was on the church premises. According to a July 1 report from QNS, Fr. Suckiel called 911. A nearby policeman responded to the scene and took Genao into custody.
Catholic Culture
Vatican officials present new Mass for the Care of Creation
By Catholic World News, July 4, 2025
Two Vatican officials presented a new Mass formulary, the Missa pro custodia creationis (Mass for the Care of Creation), at a July 3 press conference (video). The press conference followed a decree (Latin, English) of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, noted that the current edition of the Roman Missal includes 49 Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions. The Mass for the Care of Creation will join the 17 other Mass formularies for civil needs. Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola, OFM, the secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, discussed creation in the liturgy and the Mass formulary itself (Italian remarks, English summary).
CRUX
Vatican’s Synod office sure seems to love business meetings
By Charles Collins, July 9, 2025
The Vatican released its latest synod-implementation document on Monday. Titled “Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod 2025-2028” and running to 24 typeset pages with full-color graphics, pull quotes, and other bells and whistles, the document bills itself as “a framework for consideration” offered to local Churches, “invit[ing] them to share their initiatives, contributing to the broader ecclesial discernment.” Folks following from home may be forgiven for thinking: “Wait, didn’t the three-year process end last year, when the last Synod of Bishops meeting on Synodality ended?” That three-year process began in 2021 with diocesan meetings that ended in 2022. It was announced earlier this year, however, that further phases would occur through 2028.
The Pillar
French archbishop appoints priest convicted of rape as chancellor
By Edgar Beltrán, July 8, 2025
An archbishop in France appointed last month a priest convicted of raping a 16-year-old boy to the position of archdiocesan chancellor — telling French media that the appointment was meant as an act of mercy, and the position is primarily administrative. After the appointment made French headlines Monday, victims’ advocacy groups — and the priest’s own victim — said the appointment was, in their judgment, unacceptable. Archbishop Guy André Marie de Kerimel of the Archdiocese of Toulouse — Saint Bertrand de Comminges–Rieux appointed June 2 Father Dominique Spina as the chancellor and episcopal delegate for marriages of the Toulouse archdiocese. But in 2006, Spina was convicted of the 1993 rape of a 16-year-old boy, and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Catholic News Agency
Court limits Virginia’s enforcement of ‘conversion therapy’
By Tyler Arnold, July 9, 2024
An agreement between the Virginia attorney general’s office and two Christian counselors will limit that state’s enforcement of a so-called “conversion therapy” ban for minors, a law that restricts the way counselors can interact with patients on issues related to transgenderism and sexual orientation. Under the agreement, the state will allow a patient under the age of 18 with gender dysphoria to receive “talk therapy” that helps the patient conform his or her self-perceived “gender identity” to his or her biological sex. It will also allow a minor to receive “talk therapy” intended to align his or her sexual orientation toward attraction to the opposite sex. Counselors who provide this type of therapy based on religious beliefs will not face disciplinary action for providing the therapy sessions to patients who request it, according to the agreement.
Vatican News
Vatican recognizes Marian devotion on Mount Zvir in Slovakia
By Vatican News, July 9, 2025
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith—thanks to the new norms published last year—has granted the go-ahead (nihil obstat) after evaluating the spiritual fruits connected to the alleged Marian apparitions that are said to have occurred between 1990 and 1995 in Litmanová, on Mount Zvir, in Slovakia. Cardinal Prefect Víctor Manuel Fernández sent a letter addressed to Archbishop Jonáš Jozef Maxim, Archieparch of Prešov for Byzantine Rite Catholics. (Read the letter in English here) He wrote in response to the archbishop’s request, who cites the countless “sincere and profound confessions” and conversions, expressing appreciation for the “many spiritual fruits obtained by the pilgrims who continue to frequent the place” despite the alleged phenomenon having concluded thirty years ago.
National Catholic Register
Anti-Christian hostility is rising: The silence is deafening
By Gia Chacón, July 8, 2025
The West has witnessed a troubling rise in anti-Christian violence, a trend we can no longer afford to ignore. Attacks once believed isolated incidents overseas are now occurring frequently in our local neighborhoods, challenging America’s foundational identity of coexistence and religious freedom. Europe has experienced a disturbing increase in anti-Christian sentiment, highlighted by laws aimed at limiting religious expression. In the United Kingdom, individuals have faced arrest simply for silently praying near abortion facilities, accused of violating restrictive “buffer zone” laws. Across the European continent, public citation of biblical teachings has led to accusations of hate speech, as laws increasingly criminalize traditional religious expression. On May 19, gunmen attacked a parish festival in San Bartolo de Berrios, Guanajuato, killing seven young people. There are many more reports.
From Loop & Agency to Satire for 7/9/25
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.”
NATIONAL HERO SAVES 160+ LIVES AT GIRLS' CAMP - A 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer is being hailed as a national hero after he saved 165 people during his first mission amid the deadly Texas flood disaster. Scott Ruskan was deployed to Camp Mystic, where he acted as the sole triage coordinator. He managed medical care for hundreds of campers at the all-girls' Christian camp.
PEW: 1 IN 10 LEAVE THEIR CHILDHOOD FAITH - About one in 10 adults under 55 years old have left their childhood religion, with Buddhists the most likely to disaffiliate or switch to another religion, a June study from the Pew Research Center discovered. Here are the numbers.
CANADIAN LAWMAKER MOVES TO DEFEND MENTALLY ILL FROM MAID - A Canadian House member recently introduced a bill that would prevent the country’s euthanasia “medical assistance in dying” (MAiD) program from allowing mental disorders to be a qualifying medical condition for euthanasia — an eligibility expansion the government is set to make by 2027.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — July 9, 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.
Seven Weeks Coffee hits milestone in donations given to pro-life organizations - Jul 9, 2025 - By Francesca Pollio Fenton - Seven Weeks Coffee, an American, pro-life coffee brand, announced July 7 that it has now donated $1 million to pro-life organizations.
Italian priest’s suicide underscores humanity of priests - Jul 8, 2025 - By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú - The Catholic Church was profoundly shocked by the news of the death of Father Matteo Balzano, a 35-year-old priest who took his own life on Saturday, July 5.
Oratory priest in London calls Catholic politicians to confession before Communion - Jul 8, 2025 - By Patrick J. Passmore - During a homily at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Father Julian Large referred to the recent and widely reported situation in which Chris Coghlan, a Catholic MP, voted in favor of assisted suicide and then publicly criticized his parish priest for refusing him Communion.
Babylon Bee - Satire News
Biblical Prophecy Fulfilled? Chick-Fil-A Opens New Temple Mount Location
By Theology Staff, July 7, 2025
In a possible fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, Chick-fil-A has just opened a new location on the Temple Mount. While biblical scholars and end-times experts are still unsure how exactly the development fits into timelines for the end of human history, all agree that the new Chick-fil-A location is a herald of fulfilled prophecy. "In the Psalms, David clearly says that God will 'arise and have pity on Zion,'" explained Dr. David Jedediah, who runs an end times ministry radio station in the Bible Belt. "How else are we to interpret this new Chick-fil-A location except as a blatantly obvious sign that God is favoring Zion and that the appointed time has come? Get ready for 1,000 years of Messianic peace, prosperity, and peach milkshakes, people.” At publishing time, end times experts had determined that the apocalypse was inching even nearer after the Chick-fil-A had gotten blown up.
Nutshell reflections for 7/9/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection Audio - July 9, 2025
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Catholic365
The power of the Holy Hour
By Marianne Giltner, July 9, 2025
If you aren't visiting the Blessed Sacrament in your Church, or any Catholic Church, you should. It is a gift left behind just for you and me. There is such Peace—so much Comfort. You feel Jesus's presence. Your Guardian Angel is so grateful for the time you allow him to accompany you. Your heart and mind are enriched with the Holiness that lies within the Sacred Host and Tabernacle. Our Jesus is so patient. He waits silently. He waits, and waits, and waits for us unceasingly. The best part is, He waits with open arms. Ready to listen to every word we say. Talking to us like we're his best friend. Instructing and comforting us when we feel there is nowhere else to turn or no one else to talk to. Always giving us time to tell Him that we love Him with the knowledge that He is listening and attentive to us, and telling us that He loves us too.
National Catholic Register
Meet 12 of the many Americans on the path to Sainthood
By Jonah McKeown, July 7, 2025
Nearly 100 American men and women from the United States are currently being considered for sainthood. And many Catholics hope that Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, will soon beatify or canonize some new American saints — perhaps even the first African American saint. The status of their sainthood causes range from Servant of God, then Venerable, then Blessed. Twelve names considered are — Servant of God Joseph Verbis Lafleur, Servant of God Michelle Duppong, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, Servant of God Dorothy Day, Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Servant of God Julia Greeley, Blessed Stanley Rother, Servant of God Thea Bowman, Servant of God Rhoda Wise, Henriette DeLille, and Blessed Father Michael McGivney.
Related: Catholic Exchange, April 27, 2023, What is the Modern Path to Sainthood?, by Michael O’Neill
Church Life Journal
Saints make the impossible possible
By Cyril O'Regan, June 16, 2025
Among the many things for which the Swiss Catholic Theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988), is famous is making it abundantly clear over a writing career of almost sixty years, just how important saints are to the ongoing mission of the Catholic Church. As with martyrs, saints are witnesses to the possibility of the Christian life by means of its actual demonstration. They are its fundamental apology, because they provide an example of the beauty of the Christian life and the workings of grace that makes the impossible possible. In the order of apology, the saints are our only hope. In the order of theology, however, the saints are our only hope for Christianity to be seen or listened to in the modern age, because of their Christological form, and ultimately because of the Cross.
Missio Dei
Peter is different by what Jesus commands him to do
By Andrew McGovern, July 9, 2025
Matthew, like the other evangelists, lists the twelve with Peter at the head. The reason for this is the role and authority that Peter is given at his confession, also recorded by St. Matthew. Peter is placed as head of the College of Apostles, a role that continues today in the office of the Papacy. St. Matthew’s Gospel can be cited by examining the Confession of Peter and the institution of the Church upon him. In his account of the Last Supper, Luke records that the apostles begin to dispute who is the greatest. Our Lord turns to Peter and specifically instructs him: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31–32. But the command goes deeper than simply an exhortation to pray for the others. In Greek, there is a clear distinction between the apostles as a group and what Peter is commanded to do.
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