Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 8/27/25
Topics include: Thomas More Society defending Baptists; U.S. bishops and US policy priorities; Pope Leo laments terror in Gaza; & Gender ideology in the rearview mirror?
“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Today's sources are the CRUX, Catholic Culture, National Catholic Register, CatholicVote, The Pillar, OSV, 365, and CNA. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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CatholicVote
Thomas More Society to defend Illinois Baptist churches
By CV News Feed, August 26, 2025
The Thomas More Society will argue before the Illinois Appellate Court on behalf of the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA), opposing a state mandate that requires health insurance plans to include abortion coverage. According to a National Right to Life report, IBSA, a network of nearly 1,000 Baptist churches, ministries, and missions that have served in Illinois for over a century, contends that its long-standing faith convictions are directly undermined by the 2019 Illinois Reproductive Health Act (RHA). The act mandates that all employer-sponsored health insurance plans cover chemical and surgical abortions, and the state has denied every request for exemption from IBSA. Peter Breen of Thomas More called the mandate “a blatant violation of our clients’ fundamental rights,” accusing Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the majority in the General Assembly of enforcing “an extreme abortion agenda.”
Catholic News Agency
U.S. bishops identify several policy priorities in Congress this fall
By Chris Casquejo, August 27, 2025
As lawmakers prepare to return next week from their August recess, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urges them to address immigration reform and bolster federal safety net programs, among other issues, framing its advocacy work around the protection of human dignity and support for the most vulnerable. “As a nonpartisan organization, the USCCB is engaged with members of Congress, their staff, and the White House and the administration to advance the common good for all and uphold the sacredness of human life and the God-given dignity of the human person,” Chieko Noguchi, the USCCB’s executive director for public affairs, told CNA, adding legislation that supports vulnerable communities, especially children and low-income families to immigration reforms.
Aleteia
The Catholic way Carlos Alcaraz prepares for US Open
By Cerith Gardiner, August 25, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz — the 22-year-old Spanish star and currently one of the world’s top players — was recently spotted receiving a priest’s blessing in New York City just as the US Open was about to kick off. Alcaraz paid a visit to the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, where a priest offered him a personal blessing. Onlookers noted how humbly and gratefully Alcaraz received the prayer — a sight that highlighted not only his faith, but his humility. Alcaraz is not the only athlete who turns to faith under pressure — fellow champion Novak Djokovic, for example, has been seen praying in churches before significant events, as shared by First Sportz. At just 22 years old, Alcaraz has already reached the pinnacle of tennis — he rose to world No. 1 as a teenager and clinched his first US Open title at the age of 19.
CRUX
Pope Leo laments ‘terror, destruction, and death’ in Gaza
By Charles Collins, August 27, 2025
Pope Leo XIV once again appealed for an end to the conflict in the Holy Land, where tens of thousands of people have died during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Speaking about his General Audience in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, the pontiff said the conflict is causing “so much terror, destruction, and death.” In his appeal on Aug. 27, Pope Leo implored that all hostages be freed, a permanent ceasefire be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and humanitarian law be fully respected, “particularly the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions on collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations.” “Let us implore Mary, Queen of Peace, source of consolation and hope. May her intercession bring reconciliation and peace to that land so dear to all,” the pontiff said.
The Pillar
Wisconsin arrest of priest points to limits of canon law
By Ed. Condon, August 26, 2025
Police in Clintonville, Wis., arrested a priest of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday on charges of attempted child sexual abuse. According to a statement from the police, Fr. Andrew Showers, 37, was arrested in the evening of Aug. 24 after officers “received information” that the priest had “made arrangements to travel to the City of Clintonville and meet with a 14-year-old female to engage in sexual activity.” Fr. Showers was arrested on charges of child enticement, use of a computer to facilitate a child sexual offense, and attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child. According to a diocesan statement, after the diocese was informed of Showers’s arrest on Monday, he was suspended from all ministry while the criminal investigation continues, with which the diocese said it is fully cooperating. Catholics might expect that a priest found to have attempted to have sexual relations with a minor would be laicized as a matter of course — a necessary part of “zero tolerance” policy — the Church’s law on the issue is not nearly so straightforward.
Vatican News
Airstrikes destroy Myanmar church,but faith remains unbroken
By Vatican News, August 27, 2025
They destroyed the walls of the church, but not the faith. Our faith remains strong; the people of God in Falam continue to believe and hope. The faithful will rebuild the Church of Christ the King; everyone will do their part,” said Bishop Lucius Hre Kung of Hakha, during a pastoral visit to the ruins of the Church of Christ the King in Falam, Chin State. In a report by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency, the bishop stressed the centrality of prayer for communities facing war and displacement. “In this moment of suffering and trial, we remain firmly anchored in prayer and united with the Heart of Christ and the Heart of Mary, who take upon themselves all the sufferings of humanity. Jesus and Mary give us the strength and hope to continue and hope for a future of peace,” he said.
Agenzia Fides
Lack of education offerings in Malawi encourages early marriage
By Agenzia Fides, August 27, 2025
"Mchinji is one of the districts [in Malawi] with a high rate of young marriages, and as the Catholic Church, we consider this a matter of great concern in our Archdiocese," said Bishop Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa during Sunday Mass at St. Joseph's Parish in Ludzi, during which he administered the sacrament of Confirmation to 320 boys and girls from the Ludzi and Zulu areas. On this occasion, the bishop also highlighted the persistent lack of secondary schools in rural areas of Mchinji district. The lack of educational facilities is one of the factors contributing to high rates of early marriage and teenage pregnancy. "Without addressing the pressing problems in education, poverty will increase, which can be an obstacle to the human and social development of the community," added Bishop Mwakhwawa, who also visited St. Anne's Parish in Guilleme in Mchinji District.
National Catholic Register
Is gender ideology in the rearview mirror?
By Judy Roberts, August 19, 2025
Not long ago, the T in the LGBTQ+ alphabet was poised for success as transgender activists were gaining ground in health care, education, sports and popular culture. But a shift in public opinion that influenced the 2024 presidential election and led to a series of executive orders by President Donald Trump appears to have stemmed the transgender tide for now. In 2021, for example, there were 90 known gender clinics in operation in the United States, but as of Aug. 6, 35 had closed and another 28 had suspended treatment on minors. Additionally, 27 states have banned so-called gender-affirming care for minors, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has barred transgender athletes from competing for the U.S. in women’s sports, and the University of Pennsylvania has restored all individual records and titles to female athletes who lost to transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.
From Loop & Agency to Comedy for 8/27/25
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.”
CHRISTIANS REMAIN IN GAZA AS ISRAELI OFFENSIVE ESCALATES - Christian clergy and nuns yesterday said they will remain inside church compounds in Gaza City despite a major Israeli offensive advancing into the area, even as thousands of other residents flee. Statements from the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchates’ leaders emphasized the responsibility of Christians in Gaza to remain for the sake of the elderly, disabled, women, and children who are unable to move.
COLORADO DEMS PUSH TO FUND ABORTION AMID MONEY CRISIS - In the midst of a state budgetary crisis, Colorado's Democrat-controlled legislature is pushing for taxpayer funds to go to Planned Parenthood. Colorado's bishops have decried Senate Bill 25-183, arguing "the allocation of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to subsidize the deliberate ending of innocent life and harm of women is a tragedy for Colorado.”
20 YEARS AFTER KATRINA, CATHOLICS BEAR WITNESS TO POWER OF HOPE - Twenty years later, a pastor and his parishioners are reflecting on how their parish church, once devastated by Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters, was rebuilt through faith, community support, and resilience. Their witness is a lasting testament to hope and spiritual strength.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — August 27, 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: ‘Christian hope is not evasion, but decision’ - Aug 27, 2025 - By Hannah Brockhaus - Addressing thousands of pilgrims in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall, Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 27 emphasized Jesus’ embrace of suffering, when he gave himself up to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion.
St. Monica: The persistent mother of St. Augustine who never gave up - Aug 27, 2025 - By CNA Staff - On Aug. 27 the Church honors St. Monica, whose holy example and fervent intercession led to one of the most dramatic conversions in Church history.
Trump’s HHS gives states 60 days to remove ‘gender ideology’ in school material - Aug 26, 2025 - By Tyler Arnold - HHS warned states and territories that they must remove references to “gender ideology” from K–12 education materials or they will lose federal funding.
Catholic Comedians
Catholic Comedy
Best CATHOLIC Jokes Compilation | Jim Gaffigan - Aug 30 2020 - Jokes about Shiite Catholics, Confession, memorization, and the difference between Catholics and Protestants.
Catholic Jokes | Stand Up Comedy | Jen Fulwiler - Jun 17, 2021 - Jen Fulwiler talks about converting to Catholicism from atheism, Lent, exorcism, and relics.
Kathleen Madigan | Bothering Jesus Clip | November, 2016 - "Bothering Jesus" clip from Kathleen Madigan's "Bothering Jesus" comedy special premiering on Netflix
Nutshell reflections for 8/27/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection Audio - August 27, 2025
Memorial of Saint Monica
Catholic Culture
Pope Leo welcomes return of refugees to Chagos
By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, August 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV received a group of refugees from the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. He welcomed their impending return to their native islands, over five decades after their removal by the United Kingdom. “I am pleased that your cause has been very successful, since the return of the Chagos Archipelago to the Republic of Mauritius was recently obtained through the signing of a treaty,” Pope Leo said on August 23. “The renewed prospect of your return to your native archipelago is an encouraging sign and has symbolic force on the international scene: all peoples, even the smallest and weakest, must be respected by the powerful in their identity and in their rights, in particular the right to live on their lands; and no one may compel them into forced exile.”
Busted Halo
Why do priests kiss the altar at Mass?
By Fr. Dave Dwyer, August 19, 2025
“During the course of Mass, the altar serves a dual purpose. It has symbolism from well before the time of Christ back into the Old Testament times, and even in other religions,” said Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, Executive Director at Busted Halo, in his August 19 radio show. “The reason why we use the word ‘altar’ is that of its two main functions, both as a table that we gather around a meal, but also something that was the source of sacrifice, meaning killing, slaughtering, and spilling of blood, usually of an animal.” What we believe is that Christ was our ultimate sacrifice, the once for all, meaning that no sacrifice ever would have to be made ever again. [That is why] we go so far as to bend over and kiss that altar which represents the ultimate sacrifice of Christ for us on the cross.”
Vatican News
Airstrikes destroy Myanmar church,but faith remains unbroken
By Vatican News, August 27, 2025
They destroyed the walls of the church, but not the faith. Our faith remains strong; the people of God in Falam continue to believe and hope. The faithful will rebuild the Church of Christ the King; everyone will do their part,” said Bishop Lucius Hre Kung of Hakha, during a pastoral visit to the ruins of the Church of Christ the King in Falam, Chin State. In a report by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency, the bishop stressed the centrality of prayer for communities facing war and displacement. “In this moment of suffering and trial, we remain firmly anchored in prayer and united with the Heart of Christ and the Heart of Mary, who take upon themselves all the sufferings of humanity. Jesus and Mary give us the strength and hope to continue and hope for a future of peace,” he said.
Missio Dei
Jesus’ words call us first to self-examination
By Mandy Mazzawi, August 26, 2025
Jesus isn’t mincing His words in today’s Gospel. He is denouncing the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, using strong images and even stronger language. And it has everything to do with us, in the modern world. Today He is getting at the heart of the matter — our hearts. He cries out “Woe to you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites!” The Scribes and Pharisees tithed mint, dill and cummin, cheap and insignificant spices, while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith. It’s not that tithing isn’t important, but when small details overshadow the love of God and neighbor, priorities become distorted. But Jesus’ words today call us first to self-examination. Have I strained out gnats while swallowing camels in my own life? Have I kept my exterior pristine while my heart grows cold, distracted, or self-indulgent? Have I forgotten that the Lord desires mercy, justice, and faithfulness more than outward show?
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
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