Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 8/6/25
Topics include: Pope Leo XIV most favorable; Restorative reproductive medicine more 'pro-woman’; Perils of working for the Church; & A world without nuclear weapons
“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
Pope Leo XIV most favorable among 14 figures making headlines
By Tessa Gervasini, August 6, 2025
Results of a new Gallup poll reveal that Americans have a much more favorable view of Pope Leo XIV than several other prominent U.S. and global figures. The polling company surveyed 1,002 adults living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The margin of sampling error was 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The participants were asked from July 7–21 if they have a “favorable” or “unfavorable” opinion of 14 figures making headlines in the news. The results of the survey found that Americans have the most positive image of Pope Leo XIV among the newsmakers, with the majority (57%) reporting they have a “favorable” perception of him. Pope Leo also had the lowest “unfavorable” rating with only 11%, 23 percentage points behind the second most “favorable” figure, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
CatholicVote
Restorative reproductive medicine ‘more pro-woman’ than IVF
By Rachel Quackenbush, August 5 2025
IVF may dominate headlines, but a growing number of physicians argue there’s a better way to help women struggling with infertility — one that’s more affordable, more effective, and actually treats the root cause of the problem. In an Aug. 4 editorial for The Federalist, five physicians — Drs. Marguerite Duane, Lynn Keenan, Naomi Whittaker, Patrick Yeung, and Gavin Puthoff — defended restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) as a science-based alternative to IVF that prioritizes healing over high-tech shortcuts. The doctors pushed back against recent claims by mainstream medical groups that RRM is “nonmedical” or “non-patient-centered.” “Both of these statements are inaccurate,” they wrote. “As physician leaders who teach about RRM, incorporate this approach in clinical practice, and perform restorative surgeries, we firmly oppose this characterization.”
Catholic Culture
Church superiors reveal the perils of working for the Church
By Phil Lawler, August 5, 2025
Two articles appearing today tell a disheartening story about what it means to work for the Catholic Church in America today. Writing for The Catholic Thing, Randall Smith looks at the abrupt firing of three respected professors from Sacred Heart seminary in Detroit. He measures their dismissal against the standards of social justice formally proclaimed by the Catholic Church. Smith concludes: “Archbishop Edward Weisenburger’s actions tell everyone that you work for the Catholic Church the way you swim on a dangerous beach without a lifeguard—at your own risk.” The Lepanto Institute posts a report by Louis Knuffke on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Archbishop John Wester reinstated a priest who had abandoned his ministry, spent ten years in a homosexual partnership, and actively promoted the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. These stories remind us that those who work for the Church—whether as lay employees or in sacred ministry—serve at the whim of their ecclesiastical superiors.
Related: What is Sacred Heart Seminary’s protocol for firing professors? Did the seminary follow the protocol laid out in its handbook? The Pillar, by Michelle La Rosa Aug 01, 2025
CRUX
A world without nuclear weapons urges Japanese cardinal
By Nirmala Carvalho, August 5, 2025
A world without nuclear weapons is not unrealistic, Cardinal Isao Cardinal Kikuchi, the archbishop of Tokyo, said, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima in Japan. On the closing days of World War II, 90,000–166,000 people were killed in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, after The Enola Gay bomber dropped the “Little Boy” Uranium fission nuclear bomb on the city. Another nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945. Japan officially surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, ending the war. “The idea that the use of force is a necessary evil to resolve conflicts between nations, or even that diplomatic efforts are strengthened precisely by the use of force, is increasingly being presented as a realistic option,” the cardinal said.
The Pillar
In our digital age, 'authenticity' is a valuable commodity
By Stephen White, August 1, 2025
In our digital age, “authenticity” has become a particularly valuable commodity. And that presents real opportunities and real dangers for evangelization. “Be a saint,” is surely the best advice for any would-be evangelist (and for everyone else). Admittedly, as a practical plan of life, it lacks a certain amount of detail and specificity. Even in an age such as ours, in which so much of our life is mediated through screens, it is increasingly difficult to establish genuine, authentic, human relationships. Pope St. Paul VI famously insisted that, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Pope Leo made just this point in his remarks to the Influencers gathered in Rome for the Jubilee: “Science and technology influence the way we live in the world, even affecting how we understand ourselves and how we relate to God, how we relate to one another.”
Aleteia
Why is the transfiguration of Jesus celebrated on August 6?
By Philip Kosloski, August 6, 2025
Some scholars believe the Transfiguration took place during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, explaining why Peter was so eager to build a "tent" or "tabernacle" to house Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. If true, it would have been September or October that the transfiguration occurred. When the Gospels recall the event of Jesus' transfiguration, it is seen as a "precursor" to Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Historically, this biblical event has been celebrated on August 6. The Catholic Encyclopedia “The Latin Church was slow in adopting this feast; it is not mentioned before 850 ... it was adopted in the liturgy about the tenth century in many dioceses, and was celebrated mostly on 6 August. In 1456 Callixtus III extended the feast to the Universal Church in memory of the victory gained by Hunyady at Belgrade over the Turks, 6 August, 1456.” Symbolically, August 6 precedes the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 by 40 days.
The Catholic Weekly
‘Called and Gifted’: From corporate boardrooms to parish ministry
By Darren Ally, August 5, 2025
For decades, Vlado Kevric thrived in the corporate world, managing teams of over 100 people across insurance branches and call centres. Success was measured in targets met, KPIs exceeded, and bottom lines improved. But something was missing. “It was always a job or target, something that was there to achieve,” Vlado reflects on his corporate leadership days. “Very functional.” That all changed when Vlado participated in the Called and Gifted charism discernment program. The process is designed to help Catholics identify and understand their unique spiritual gifts, often referred to as charisms. These gifts, bestowed by the Holy Spirit, are gifts given to serve others, build up the Church, and further God’s mission. The process is organised through the Parish Renewal Team (PRT) within the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation (SCE), using the Catherine of Siena Institute model.
National Catholic Register
Polish Catholic president Nawrocki’s election pivotal for Europe
By Solène Tadié, August 5, 2025
As Poland prepares for the inauguration today of its new president, Karol Nawrocki, the country is at a pivotal crossroads. A practicing Catholic and longtime conservative affiliated with the Law and Justice (PiS) camp, Nawrocki won a tightly contested runoff election earlier this summer. While the Polish presidency is mostly symbolic, its role can become especially consequential in moments of profound polarization. Nawrocki’s accession to power raises the question of what role a presidency that claims a Christian and conservative identity can play in a country characterized by both intense political polarization and a changing religious landscape. While Poland remains one of the most Catholic countries in Europe, secularization has strongly intensified in recent years
From Loop & Agency to Comedy for 8/6/25
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.”
HEAD OF US BISHOPS THANKS VA FOR DROPPING ABORTIONS - Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he is “deeply grateful" to the Trump administration for undoing a Biden-era Veterans Affairs policy that allowed taxpayer funding for abortions. The VA put their lives on the line to defend the innocent and is now “freed from participation in procedures that do not support innocent life," the archbishop said.
TRUMP TO REFUSE DISASTER FUNDS TO STATES BOYCOTTING ISRAEL - The Trump administration said states and cities boycotting Israel will be cut off from federal disaster preparedness funding under new grant conditions published Aug. 1. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) now requires applicants for disaster aid programs to first certify they will not cut off trade with Israeli companies.
FACT CHECK: IS THE VATICAN BEING 'SECRETIVE' ABOUT ABUSE? - The Chicago Sun-Times published an article warning of "a new era of secrecy over child sex abuse.” The article based its argument on a Vatican document released in February that directed dioceses not to publicly list the names of priests credibly accused of abuse but not yet found guilty or innocent. CatholicVote's Felix Miller explains the truth of the matter.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — August 6, 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 commends work of Knights of Columbus in message to Supreme Convention - Aug 5, 2025 - By Tyler Arnold - Pope Leo XIV extolled the work of the Knights of Columbus in a prerecorded message for the Catholic fraternal organizations.
American Jewish Committee donates $25,000 to repair Holy Family Church in Gaza - Aug 5, 2025 - By Madalaine Elhabbal - The global Jewish advocacy group, which is headquartered in New York City, said in the release that the funds will be distributed to the Gaza parish through the Archdiocese of New York with the help of Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Amid aid cuts, Catholic relief groups vow continued backing for Africa - Aug 5, 2025 - By ACI Africa - Overseas development agencies pledged their continued support for the Church and civil organizations in Africa amid foreign fund cuts.
Ranker
Long-Running Sitcoms That Actually Stayed Funny
By Michelle Nati, June 1, 2025
The Golden Girls has been ranked as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. It's witty, scathing, and hilarious — helped by the fact that the four stars are seasoned comedy legends who never miss a beat.
Cheers, the sitcom set in a Boston bar, persevered through several cast changes and remained a critical and fan favorite throughout the 1980s and beyond. The people who meet at the bar and its employees create a genuine sense of family throughout the series, which is what makes it a fan favorite to this day.
Frasier is the most successful of the Cheers spinoffs and has proven to be just as successful as its predecessor, if not more so. The show smartly balances haughty psychologist brothers, Frasier and Niles Crane, with their working-class dad, Martin, as they navigate life in Seattle.
M*A*S*H won fans as it offered a unique mix of humor and drama, set against the backdrop of the Korean War. The ensemble cast delivered outstanding performances, and the show's success was also attributed to its ability to evolve and address relevant social issues.
Nutshell reflections for 8/6/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection Audio - August 6, 2025
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Catholic365
Soul reveal: The Transfiguration was not a costume change
By Fr. Nitin DSouza OFM, August 6, 2025
“And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light."— Matthew 17:2 We live in a world obsessed with appearances, filters, fashion. But on Mount Tabor, Jesus revealed a truth far deeper than glowing garments or radiant faces. The Transfiguration wasn’t about divine costume and cosmetics. It was about core. But what truly changed that day wasn’t just what the disciples saw—it was what they began to understand. Jesus gave them a glimpse of glory—not as something worn, but as something within. And in doing so, He wasn’t just revealing who He was. He was inviting us to reflect on who we’re becoming. Because He knew the cross was coming. And He knew His disciples would be shaken.
Matt Fradd's Terrifying Ruminations
My argument against the UFC
By Matt Fradd, July 19, 2025
I genuinely don't want to maintain the belief that participating in sports like UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is wrong if it isn't. My argument against participating in (and by extension, consuming) the UFC contributes to the vulgarization of the masses, much like historical practices such as cockfighting and bearbaiting. The intentional infliction of physical harm upon another individual for injury or detriment is justifiable only under extraordinary circumstances, such as self-preservation or the defense of others. Participation in organized combat sports for the primary purposes of entertainment, competitive victory, or monetary reward does not qualify as an extraordinary circumstance that justifies the intentional infliction of physical harm for injury or detriment. Therefore, the deliberate infliction of physical harm in organized combat sports for entertainment, competitive victory, or monetary reward is not justifiable.
Church Life Journal
Human drama at the heart of Tischner's ‘Philosophy of Drama’
By Artur Grabowski, July 2, 2025
Józef Tischner’s The Philosophy of Drama, begun in the late 1970s and primarily written in the 1980s, is one of the most significant philosophical works in Polish. It is also probably one of the most important in contemporary (yes, still contemporary!) European philosophy. The book owes its particular significance not so much to the novelty of thought, but above all to the strength of its intellectual resonance in the universe of problems that were the focus of the philosophy of the last century. The work of this Polish thinker somehow absorbed and creatively processed them to derive a specific synthesis from them. This “treatise on the dramatic nature of human existence” belongs as much to the area of ethics and philosophical anthropology as to political philosophy. More than that: at the deepest, although hidden, layer, it is also a modern theological proposal.
Missio Dei
Transfiguration: The divine identity of Christ
By Andrew McGovern, August 6, 2025
Why is the Transfiguration important? There is an inseparable connection between the confession of the divine identity of Christ by St. Peter and the visible manifestation of that divine identity on the Mount of the Transfiguration. These two events correspond to the two Jewish feasts: Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Sukkoth (the Feast of Tabernacles). The Day of Atonement is a sacred day when the High Priest would utter the name of God in the Holy of Holies, the only time this would happen. A name communicates identity, and St. Peter uses the proper name of the Second Person of the Trinity to identify the Lord. He is Son of the Living God. Knowing what time of year it was and understanding the weight of this event, Peter appeals to the Feast and offers to build Tents for Our Lord, Moses, and Elijah. God has come to dwell with mankind, and the Messianic Age has truly begun. These Jewish feasts are preparations for the coming of Christ, and it is in Him that they are completed and perfected.
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
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