“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Your 5-minute Catholic briefing for busy faithful. Today's sources are the Zeale News, National Catholic Register, EWTN News, The Pillar, Zeale, and Augustine Institute (Formed). Please support their ministries and apostolates. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise their 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.
EWTN News
Priest’s murder in Mexico may be warning to sow fear
By David Ramos, September 22, 2026
The recent murder of Father Román de la Cruz Hernández in the Mexican state of Hidalgo has once again drawn attention to the violence plaguing the country and has renewed concerns over how organized crime acts with impunity. De la Cruz, 48, the parish priest of Santa Cruz in Huejutla, Hidalgo, was found dead on a road in the Lolotla district on Sept. 15. According to local media, the priestʼs body was found with gunshot wounds near a pickup truck, accompanied by a placard bearing a message whose content has not been disclosed by the authorities. The Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM) has demanded a “thorough investigation” of the case, while Bishop José Hiraís Acosta Beltrán of the Diocese of Huejutla lamented “the alarming situation of violence being experienced in our country.” According to the Catholic Multimedia Center, four priests have been murdered so far during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s term in office. The total number of priests murdered since 1990 exceeds 60.
Related: Mexican priest murdered in region known for organized crime, political tensions - Filipe d’Avillez, The PIllar, September 18, 2026
Related: Catholic Church Leaders in African Countries Scarred by War Unite in Call for Peace - By Agnes Aineah, aciafrica in Nairobi, 21 September, 2026
Zenit
Muslim father tries to burn his daughters alive for being Christians
By ZENIT Staff, September 21, 2026
Muhamud, father of Amina and Shamila, doused his house with petrol, then set it alight while the girls slept inside. He had told them he would act to fulfill Islamic law since they had rejected Islam when they converted to Christianity on Aug. 26. The girls survived the fire, which destroyed almost everything they owned. Their mattresses, clothes, and other personal belongings were burned. They escaped from the flames with their lives, but they lost the few belongings they had. Amina said her and her sister’s faith has grown stronger than before. “We are happy to say that the fire consumed our shelter but did not consume our faith and hope in Jesus Christ,” she said. “We managed to remove some bricks from the wall and created a hole where we escaped from until other Christian neighbors came to rescue us and called the local leaders.” Local Christian leaders condemned the arson by saying it was against the law of Uganda. They added that the girls’ father should be brought to justice.
National Catholic Register
Swiss March for Life draws thousands: Masked cyclists disrupt
By Bryan Lawrence Gonsalves/EWTN, September 21, 2026
An estimated 2,200 pro-life advocates gathered in Zurich’s outer district of Oerlikon on Saturday for the annual March for Life, delivering a message focused on restoring family life and encouraging fatherhood under the banner “Together for Life!” For six consecutive years, municipal authorities have barred the march from gathering in Zurich’s city center, citing security risks posed by the threat of hostile counterprotesters. Organizers pointed out that municipal officials routinely permit other demonstrations in the heart of the city, applying a clear double standard to the pro-life witness. Similar to previous years, the Sept. 19 event faced opposition. One group of roughly 200 masked protesters on bicycles attempted to disrupt the event by setting off firecrackers, overturning trash bins onto the roadway, and attempting to block the route. Swiss police maintained control by shielding marchers, conducting identity checks, and using two water cannons to disperse protesters.
Zeale News
Most Democrats positive for military ouster, death of Trump
By Elise Winland, September 22, 2026
A majority of Democratic voters said they would react positively to four of five hypothetical scenarios in which President Donald Trump left office before completing his term, including his removal by military leaders and his death in his sleep, according to a new poll. The Center for Strategic Politics survey — conducted Sept. 3 and Sept. 8-10 among 683 Democratic voters nationwide — found that nearly six in 10 would feel positively if military leaders removed Trump from power to “safeguard the Constitution” and assumed control of the U.S. Forty-three percent said they would feel “very positive” about the military scenario, while 16% said they would feel “somewhat positive,” bringing the total positive response to 59%. Twenty-eight percent said they would feel negatively, and 13% said they would feel neither positively nor negatively. The poll also asked respondents how they would feel if Trump died overnight in his sleep. Fifty-six percent said they would react positively and 28% said they would feel neutral.
The PIllar
Faith in the Ivy League – Catholic life blooms at Princeton
By Michelle La Rosa, September 21, 2026
Nestled in the rolling hills of central New Jersey, Princeton University is known for its rigorous academics, striking Gothic architecture, and selective eating clubs. But the campus is also home to a thriving Catholic presence, with the Aquinas Institute serving as the hub for Catholic campus ministry. Fr. Zachary Swantek is the Catholic chaplain and director of campus ministry at Princeton University. “Well, we do this procession each year for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. And every year it keeps growing bigger and bigger—from about 100 students a few years ago to 150, and now over 200. It’s a beautiful witness where the Catholics are not just this hidden group on campus, but are active and public in their worship.” Swantek said Sunday and daily Mass attendance has doubled in recent years. “In 2019, we had 40 students participating in Bible studies. Now we have 40 students leading Bible studies on campus, and more than 250 students participating in them weekly in their dorms.”
Pime Asia News
More attacks on West Bengal’s Christians: ‘Systematic intimidation’
By Nirmala Carvalho, September 22, 2026
In an alarming escalation of targeted violence against religious minorities in West Bengal, two house churches were brutally attacked by groups of Hindu nationalist right-wing vigilantes within 24 hours last weekend. The incidents took place in Barrackpore, in the North 24 Parganas district, and in Khejuri, in the Purba Medinipur district. The coordinated violence has sparked deep outrage within the local Christian community. Human rights organizations are denouncing a systematic pattern of intimidation and alleged administrative inaction on the part of state authorities. On Sunday 20 September, at around midday, a prayer service was taking place at the Dekhali Church and Mission in Dekhali Jalpai, within the jurisdiction of Khejuri police station. The service was being led by Pastor Chintamoni Midde when a crowd of over 50 unidentified individuals, claiming affiliation with the right-wing group Bajrang Dal, surrounded the building.
Graphs about Religion
Educated people attend Church more often
By Ryan Burge, September 21, 2026
I want to believe that lots of people are very thoughtful when they decide whether to attend a local house of worship each weekend. But I also know this decision isn't made purely at random. Certain factors make someone more inclined to get up on Sunday morning, put on nicer clothes, and drive to their local church. Educated people are more likely to be weekly attenders than those with a lower level of education. For the very oldest Americans, the relationship between the two factors is actually negative: educated folks are less likely to be weekly attenders than those who stopped at high school. But that’s the only age cohort where that’s the case. One common refrain is that those at the low end of the educational spectrum don’t attend as much because they are working, so there’s a scheduling conflict. However, less educated folks are less likely to be in the workforce compared to those working full-time.
Aleteia
‘Year of Padre Pio’ in 2027 hits milestone anniversary
By Theresa Civantos Barber, September 22, 2026
St. Padre Pio was a humble Franciscan friar who became one of the most beloved saints of the 20th century, and in 2027, it will be 25 years since his canonization. The National Centre for Padre Pio is honoring the milestone with a full year of celebrations, leading up to the canonization anniversary on June 16, 2027. “We began what we’re calling the Year of Saint Pio on June 16, 2026, and it will continue through June 16, 2027, the 25th anniversary of Padre Pio’s canonization,” said Nicholas Salkowski, Director of Operations at the National Centre for Padre Pio, in Barto, Pennsylvania. “Throughout the year, we’re giving people many different opportunities to encounter Padre Pio — not simply to learn about him historically, but to experience the spirituality that was at the center of his life.”
Keep informed - 9/23/26 news for Catholics
Snippets from Loop, Formed, & The Pillar
Zeale’s 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.”
VIRGINIA’S ‘DATA CENTER ALLEY’ AND A CATHOLIC RESPONSE - More than 250 data centers in Northern Virginia impact jobs, parishes, and local residents. Some have weighed in on the benefits, while others speak out about concerns raised by the unprecedented concentration of massive, windowless facilities. An Arlington diocesan official told Zeale News that Catholics can find resources in Catholic Social Teaching and community as they engage with these developments.
ATTORNEYS: CALIFORNIA FAILED TO SHOW ABORTION PILL REVERSAL HARM - California’s attorney general wants to levy $25 million in fines and institute a gag order against two pregnancy care networks over their efforts to help mothers who change their minds after taking medication for a chemical abortion. Defense attorneys for the pro-life ministries believe the record shows no woman has ever been harmed by abortion pill reversal.
SOCIALIST GROUPS MOBILIZE AUSTIN ANTI-ICE PROTEST - A demonstration formed within hours of an ICE shooting in Texas as several socialist and communist organizations directed supporters to the scene. One group’s call for what it described as a “spontaneous protest” offers a closer look at how the demonstration came together.
Augustine Institute
Formed Series Programs
Formed guides Catholics and those they evangelize to a fully Catholic life through faith-informed content, drawing people closer to Christ. The Formed platform provides a captivating experience that empowers and satisfies curiosity by forming Catholics for life.
St. Teresa of Avila - A powerful epic mini-series shot on location in Spain that tells the story of one of the most amazing women in history, St. Teresa of Avila. With meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy, outstanding production values, and an incredible performance by actress Concha Velasco as Teresa, this acclaimed major film production is the definitive film on the life of this great saint.
Pope John Paul II - This film follows Karol Wojtyla's journey from youth in Poland through his late days on the Chair of St. Peter. It shows how he touched millions, changed the face of the Church and the world, and defended the dignity of mankind. Jon Voight's powerful, Emmy-nominated performance as John Paul II was widely praised, as was Cary Elwes as the young Karol. It is shot on location in Rome and Poland in close connection with the Vatican.
Our Lady of Guadalupe & St. Juan Diego | Littlest Saints - A boy, his sneakers, and a giant sombrero take up the story of St. Juan Diego’s miraculous encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary. How far will Our Lady ask him to reach out in faith, trust, and confidence? Sign up to watch the rest of the series: https://app.formed.org/checkout/subscribe/purchase. Visit their website here: www.littlestsaints.com.
The Pillar
Pillar Stories from the July calendar, 9/23/26
The Pillar offers a news summary and a capsule take on Catholic News. Here are news stories from the past few weeks in the Pillar Post:
Farbrizia Raguso, an alleged victim of Fr. Marko Rupnik, says that she has not been consulted about a decision in Fátima not to remove mosaics created by the disgraced artist, and that Rupnik’s style gives his work “a feeling… of invasiveness.” Raguso spent two decades in the Rupnik-associated Loyola Community, where she says that Rupnik spiritually and psychologically abused her.
The new Archbishop of Prague will lead a penitential pilgrimage in October in reparation for sins committed within the Church. This is exactly the kind of thing victims and their advocates called for in the wake of the 2018 ecclesial scandals — a serious-minded, spiritually sober effort to address sins against human dignity committed in the Church.
The U.S. bishops’ conference announced last week the establishment of a task force on artificial intelligence. From the sound of it, the task force will focus on lobbying Congress for AI safeguards and reforms. But in an analysis of the subject, I wonder whether there isn’t an area of focus that would have far more impact on the lives of Catholics.
September 23, 2026 - USCCB Daily Mass Readings
You can listen HERE or read HERE:
Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Today’s Catholic commentary:
Crisis Magazine
The Christian nation we aren’t ready for
By John Melnikov, September 23, 2026
Whether Christianity should have political influence in America is a question that will be discussed more and more in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections. The fact of the matter is that Christianity is naturally going to influence our government and our nation, considering the number of Christians that live and vote in the United States. The more important question is what kind of Christians parishes and congregations are producing and whether they are adequately prepared to ensure the survival and flourishing of a free, ordered society. Christian civilization isn’t created out of thin air with banners, slogans, mottos, or declarations. Christian men and women cultivate it through sacrifice, self-denial, courage, forgiveness, and the belief that they are called to serve a purpose and a Being higher than themselves. A nation incapable of governing its own appetites cannot preserve the noble, laudable aspects of its character no matter how many stump speeches end with, “God bless America.”
The Catholic Weekly
AI is generating a mental health crisis
By Kimberley Heatherington, September 23, 2026
The ever-increasing presence of artificial intelligence, with AI in every sphere of daily life, is generating a mental health crisis that threatens adults and children alike, according to Father Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy University, a private Catholic graduate school of psychology and counseling in Sterling, Virginia. Using a framework developed by David Rosmarin, director of the Spirituality and Mental Health Laboratory at Harvard Medical School’s McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, Father Sikorsky examined AI’s impact upon identity, connection and meaning. “There’s a crisis of identity in general in our culture – people don’t have the same roots they used to have,” explained Father Sikorsky. Globalization; domestic and international migration; the decline in religious adherence; fractured families; frequent job changes — all of these can profoundly impact an individual’s sense of self, he suggested. “And AI can really feed this identity crisis.”
The Jerusalem Post
A campaign to fight the Gaza genocide ‘lie’
By Elliot Heller, September 10, 2026
On October 8, 2023, while Israel was still reeling from the Hamas-led massacre of the previous day, accusations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza were already appearing at demonstrations and on social media. For the organizations behind the now viral Gaza GenoLIE campaign, that timing is central to their argument: that the accusation was part of a broader effort to delegitimize Israel—one that has since helped fuel hostility toward the Jewish state and Jews around the world. The campaign is a joint initiative of over 100 pro-Israel and Jewish organizations from over 20 countries. The GenoLIE, whose name combines “genocide” and “lie,” highlights eight aspects of the Gaza genocide accusation, including examining the legal definition of genocide, famine allegations, the alleged “war on journalists,” Hamas’s use of human shields, allegations that Israel deliberately targeted journalists, and Israel’s treatment of civilians.
Church Life Journal
Ecclesial repentance for slavery
By Paulinus Ikechukwu Odozor, September 10, 2026
On March 12, 2000, the Catholic Church marked a Day of Pardon, part of the celebrations for the Jubilee Year. This was also the first Saturday of Lent. In Rome, the pope presided over a penitential service at which “Bishops and Ecclesial Communities in various parts of the world knelt before God, in the name of the entire people to implore his forgiveness.” According to the Pope, this act was “a sincere recognition of the sins committed by the Church’s children in the distant and recent past, and a humble plea for God's forgiveness.” The Pope's ultimate hope was for reconciliation among peoples, a reconciliation which springs from “forgiveness reciprocally given and received.” The 2000 Day of Pardon did not happen in a vacuum. It was a high point of many years leading up to the 2000 Jubilee year during which, in many of his interactions with various groups all over the world, Pope John Paul II asked “forgiveness” for the “sins” of Christians down the centuries.
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 …
