Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 7/2/25
Topics include: Opposition to same-sex blessings; Illinois abortionist seeks silencing of patient; Ukraine has been ‘martyred’ in ‘senseless war’; & Viral prank puts Catholic company on the map
“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
Opposition to same-sex blessings not an ‘African exception’
By Hannah Brockhaus , Valentina di Donato, July 1, 2025
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap, leader of Africa’s Catholic bishops pushed back Tuesday on the narrative that it was only Africans who objected to a 2023 Vatican declaration permitting blessings for same-sex couples. According to Ambongo, he worked with the head of the DDF, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and with Pope Francis to produce a statement that the permission for same-sex blessings did not apply in Africa. “The position taken by Africa [on the declaration] was also the position of so many bishops here in Europe. It’s not just an African exception,” said Ambongo on July 1. The 65-year-old cardinal said homosexuality is fundamentally a “doctrinal, theological problem,” and Church moral teaching on the subject has not changed. Ambongo is archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo and heads the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
CatholicVote
Illinois abortionist seeks silencing of patient suing him
By Elise DeGeeter, July 1, 2025
Dr. Keith Reisinger-Kindle, an Illinois abortionist accused of botching a late-term abortion, is urging a court to publicly expose the identity of the woman suing him, while simultaneously seeking a gag order to silence her from speaking out publicly. The woman, a 32-year-old mother of four, says she underwent a late-term surgical abortion at Equity Clinic in Champaign that left nearly the entire body of her unborn child — reportedly everything except parts of the limbs — inside her womb. She later required emergency surgery and is suing for medical malpractice and emotional trauma, CatholicVote reported. The patient’s attorney, Richard M. Craig, criticized the motions as an unfair and dangerous tactic. “She never asked to be put in this position,” Craig told CatholicVote in a July 1 interview. “Nobody asks to need an emergency laparotomy because the first doctor botched what he was hired to do.”
Catholic Culture
Patriarch hails Leo’s Augustinian commitment to Christian unity
By Catholic World News, July 2, 2025
In a message to Pope Leo XIV, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople hailed the progress made in restoring full communion between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches. “Our hearts were warmed when we learned of Your Holiness’ motto, taken from the great Church Father St Augustine, beloved to You and to us: In Illo uno unum,“ the Ecumenical Patriarch continued. We receive this as a precious sign of Your Holiness’ thirst for Christian unity, one based on a deeply patristic vision of ecclesiology springing from the wellspring of the New Testament itself, and in particular, from the writings of the Apostle Paul whose memory we so joyously keep today.” He added, may “the fruits of the Spirit being manifest through Your person, may the acclamation of old joyously resound once more: ‘Peter has spoken through Leo’.”
CRUX
Pope Leo say Ukraine has been ‘martyred’ in ‘senseless war’
By Charles Collins, June 28, 2025
Pope Leo XIV said Ukraine is “martyred” and expressed his sorrow “for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war” caused by the invasion by Russia. The pontiff was speaking to Ukrainian Greek Catholics pilgrims in the Vatican for the Jubilee. Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has been making slow advances in Ukraine, but is suffering huge casualties, as are the Ukrainians. U.S. President Donald Trump proposed the Vatican host a peace summit between the two countries, but Russia refused to accept the idea. “Many of you, since the war began, have surely asked: Lord, why all this? Where are you? What must we do to save our families, our homes and our homeland? Believing does not mean already having all the answers, but trusting that God is with us and gives us his grace, and that he will pronounce the last word and life will win over death,” the pope said.
The Pillar
Lima archbishop accused of mishandling nun abuse case
By Edgar Beltrán, June 30, 2025
Amid ongoing criticism of Lima’s Cardinal Carlos Castillo Mattasogglio, the diocese faces new allegations of downplaying a claim of sexual abuse, alleged by a religious sister against a priest close to Castillo. The allegations come after Castillo, 75, has also been accused of administrative and financial mismanagement, and of fomenting a revolving door of judicial personnel in the archdiocese. The nun says she disclosed to the priest that she suffered from borderline personality disorder before he agreed to serve as her spiritual director. According to the testimony, the priest quickly crossed personal boundaries. “He asked me for a kiss and a hug in every spiritual direction, when I didn’t do it … he told me ‘not to punish him.’ He told me I had a lot of love to give, that he felt it. I sensed something strange, but out of respect for his priestly investiture, I didn’t say anything,” the sister said in the testimony.
CatholicVote
Christians in the Holy Land ask American Catholics for help
By Stephen Herreid, June 30, 2024
Christians in the Holy Land expressed hope and quiet defiance last week after a string of internationally reported attacks by Israeli settlers, one of which left three Palestinians dead. One of the villages reportedly attacked was Taybeh, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem. Taybeh is “100% Christian,” Nadim Khoury told CatholicVote via phone on Friday. A resident of Taybeh, Khoury is the founder of Taybeh Brewery, colloquially known as Taybeh Beer. This week’s attack in his town was far from an isolated incident, according to Khoury. He fluently listed from memory a number of similar instances of violence and intimidation against local Christians by alleged Israeli settlers. “We have to stop this bleeding,” he said, and asked that CatholicVote spread the word to American Catholics that “we need support.” What is needed, he said, is the creation of good jobs, and — ultimately — a peaceful end to the violence and intimidation.
Related: Netanyahu condemns ‘fanatic few’ settlers: ‘Terrorists are terrorists,’ By ToI Staff, Nava Freiberg and Emanuel Fabian, 30 June 2025
Vatican News
Conflicts leave millions of children displaced or killed
By Grace Lathrop, July 2, 2025
As of 2025, an estimated 45 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a 41% increase just in the past five years. UNICEF has sought to help children and families in the MENA region for the past 70 years, yet it warns that operations are now at risk due to severe funding shortages. The MENA region is currently experiencing multiple different conflicts, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Syrian civil war, and the war in Yemen. One in two children living in the region are located in countries affected by these conflicts, totaling nearly 100 million children at risk of violence. Since 2023, over 12 million children have been displaced, forcing them to leave their homes. More than 40,000 have been injured or have experienced permanent mutilation and 20,000 have been killed.
National Catholic Register
Viral ‘Polo Prank’ put a Catholic company on the map
By Francesca Fenton, July 2, 2025
A Father’s Day prank that took place at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell, Texas, has been making headlines across news platforms — even making an appearance on NBC’s Today show. However, not only has the prank — that had 200 dads show up to Mass wearing the same shirt — made headlines, but the infamous polo these men are wearing has also sparked interest. The light green polo, which features a subtle, repeated Chi Rho (an ancient Christian symbol that combines the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek) pattern, is made by Sock Religious, a Catholic company that sells funny, faith-filled and unique products. Scott Williams, co-founder of Sock Religious, told the Register that “never in my wildest dreams” did he think his company’s polo would be trending nationwide. “It happened so fast and so quick, and it’s just been pure joy to see it all happen,” he added.
From Loop & Agency to Satire for 7/2/25
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.”
100 YEARS LATER: BISHOP NOLL'S CATHOLIC LEGACY - Marking 100 years since Archbishop John Francis Noll’s episcopal ordination, Bishop Kevin Rhoades honored the Fort Wayne native’s enduring legacy as founder of Our Sunday Visitor, media evangelist, and champion of Catholic truth in the public square.
PRIESTS WORLDWIDE DEFEND CONFESSION SEAL - Catholic clergy from the US, Australia, and Great Britain issued a joint declaration defending the inviolable seal of Confession, decrying several laws in different countries that violate religious freedom by forcing priests to report grave sins like child abuse.
SCOTUS RULING FREES MORE FUND FOR ACTUAL WOMEN’S HEALTH - SCOTUS ruling frees more funds for real women’s health providers, says the National Right to Life organization. In a 6-3 opinion authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch on June 26, the court upheld South Carolina’s right to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program, rejecting the abortion giant’s legal challenge to the state’s pro-life policy.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — July 2, 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.
Religious freedom report: Russia guilty of ‘severe’ violations against religious minorities - Jul 2, 2025 - By Tyler Arnold - A June 30 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report found continued “intense persecution” of Ukrainian Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant members by Russian state.
Canadian politician introduces bill to stop MAID expansion for mental illness - Jul 2, 2025 - By The B.C. Catholic - Canadian Member of Parliament Tamara Jansen has introduced a private member’s bill to stop the expansion of medical assistance in assisted suicide.
Priest in ‘critical condition’ after being shot in Mexico - Jul 1, 2025 - By Diego López Colín - The Diocese of Tabasco in Mexico reported June 30 that one of its priests was wounded by gunfire while on his way to visit a sick parishioner. The attack was apparently a case of mistaken identity.
Babylon Bee - Satire News
Congressman Unveils Small, Ugly Budget Bill With A Great Personality
By Politics Staff, July 1, 2025
In his latest move to fight against the looming passage of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," Congressman Thomas Massie unveiled his very own "Small, Ugly Budget Bill with a Great Personality." Touted by Massie as a far more fiscally responsible budget bill, the proposal was designed to provide a financially conservative alternative to Trump's enormous spending bill. "This bill may not stop traffic or anything, but it's kind of cute in its own way," Massie said. "Nobody wants an ugly bill," Trump told reporters. "Massie doesn't know what he's doing. Look at him. He's got glasses. He's not the guy you want creating bills. My bill is beautiful. My bill is a 10, believe me.” Massie continues to pitch the benefits of his bill, including its high test scores and how well it takes care of children.
Nutshell reflections for 7/2/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection Audio - July 2, 2025
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Catholic365
The Big, Beautiful Bible
By Eileen Renders, July 2, 2025
If the Ten Commandments, initially inscribed on a rock tablet, were good enough for God, why must we be weighed down by tons of legislative legalese on countless reams of paper? According to Wikipedia (which always needs verification), since 1789, Congress has passed more than 30,000 statutes; Roll Call (5/2/2005) notes that Congress has passed approximately 28,000 bills. major Congressional Bills have expanded to several hundred pages. Bill Clinton’s 1993 health plan of 1,342 pages to the New American Bible’s 1,394 pages. Incidentally, The “Big, Beautiful Bill” exceeds 900 pages. Much of the Old Testament legalese is based on the Ten Commandments and the Torah. For Catholic purposes, we can focus on the two major Commandments (a summation of the Ten Commandments) to love God with our whole heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
National Catholic Register
‘Humility March’ counters ‘Pride March’ in the Philippines
By Valerie Joy Escalona, June 30, 2025
a movement of young Catholics in the Philippines organized prayerful “Humility Marches” — city-wide Eucharistic processions and public acts of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — in key cities throughout the country, offering a spiritual alternative to secular “Pride Month” celebrations. It was pioneered by Raven Castañeda, a Filipino youth who was saddened by what he saw on his Jesuit university campus. “I started the ‘Humilitas March’ because of an inspiration … June 2023, I was walking around the campus of my university when I saw a crowd promoting the vice of pride, waving their flags in a university dedicated to Our Lady. Then I felt this pain deep in my heart because I could not understand how it was possible for a Catholic university to allow an event that promotes vice and pushes for an ideology that is contrary to the truths of our faith,” said Castañeda.
Church Life Journal
Author Vladimir Nabokov and the ‘soul’
By Larry Gaffney, July 1, 2025
Vladimir Nabokov’s Pale Fire, published in 1962, is a hybrid novel comprised of two main parts: a 999-line poem of four cantos written by John Shade, whom Nabokov loosely modeled on Robert Frost, and a commentary by a crackpot academic named Charles Kinbote, who thinks the poem is all about him—specifically, about his fantasized life as an exiled king hiding from assassins. Vladimir Nabokov believed in the existence of the soul—a real thing, not some cockamamie symbol—and of its survival of bodily death. Nabokov’s profound sense of the numinous had two sources: the first, his natural wonderment at the remarkable objects and images (a butterfly, a raging sunset) placed within our domain by an unseen benefactor; and the second, his mother’s open-minded spirituality, independent of scripture and dogma. Volodya did not care what his critics said, for if God existed, he was in the details. John Updike had a similar view: “The Old Testament God repeatedly says he wants praise, and I translate that to mean that the world wants describing.”
Missio Dei
Providence and divine permittance
By Andrew McGovern, July 2, 2025
The Evangelist tells us that the demons were so savage that no one would travel by that road in fear of them. In today’s Gospel, they were tormenting these poor souls very violently. Passing by, Our Lord has mercy on these men and casts out the demons. Fearing hell, the demons request to be cast out into the pigs, and Our Lord grants their request. This is a very interesting exchange. God permits certain evils so that a greater good can come about, which otherwise would not have happened had the evil not occurred. God allows the elect to fall into mortal sin because the grace and glory which follow the act of repentance are a greater grace and a greater glory than that soul otherwise possessed beforehand! It is for us to abandon ourselves completely to Him.
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
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