Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 6/25/25
Topics include: ‘Fatigue of living’ afflicting society; ‘Unwavering’ support for kid's ‘trans’ medical treatments; Document on ecological debt; & Israeli Christians: 'God is our protector'
“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Today's sources are the CRUX, Catholic Culture, 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 laments ‘fatigue of living’ afflicting modern society
By Victoria Cardiel, June 25, 2025
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday addressed what he called the “fatigue of living” as one of the ailments afflicting modern society, and he urged the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to face reality with the grace of Jesus. “A very widespread ailment of our time is the fatigue of living: Reality seems to us to be too complex, burdensome, difficult to face,” the pope said at his final Wednesday general audience before summer break, when he is expected to reduce his schedule and public engagements for all of July. “And so we switch off, we fall asleep, in the delusion that, upon waking, things will be different. But reality has to be faced, and together with Jesus, we can do it well,” the pope said.
CatholicVote
‘Unwavering’ support to subject kids to ‘trans’ medical treatments
By Susan Berry, Ph.D., June 24, 2025
Both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are doubling down on their support for subjecting children to experimental medical treatments following the Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld Tennessee’s law protecting minors from what transgender activists euphemistically call “gender-affirming care.” AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D., said his organization is “disappointed” in the Court’s decision, framing it as one that “opens the door to further intrusion into patient care and harmful government interference into the practice of medicine.” That argument has been used for years by an abortion industry that claims pro-life laws are an intrusion into “healthcare” decisions women make with their doctors, even as abortion activists demand government taxpayer funding of abortions.
Catholic Culture
Vatican dicastery publishes document on ecological debt
By Catholic World News, June 24, 2025
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development called upon the world’s dioceses to “position themselves prophetically” in debates on the issue with a four-page document, “Jubilee 2025: Remission of the Ecological Debt.” “Throughout history, on the one hand, the most industrialized countries have been responsible for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, which has contributed to the well-known phenomenon of global warming, and on the other hand, they have also built their prosperity through the intensive exploitation of natural resources in developing countries, often to the detriment of local communities and ecosystems,” the dicastery stated. “It is precisely this imbalance that has led many to believe that developing countries are owed a real and specific ecological credit by the more industrialized countries, which should at least partially offset the financial debt they are burdened with.”
CRUX
Church joins partners in South Africa to tackle human trafficking
By Ngala Killian Chimtom, June 25, 2025
Representatives from churches, frontline responders, regional authorities, and civil society in Southern Africa are emphasizing the critical need for regional cooperation to combat human trafficking. This consensus emerged from a gathering held at the Padre Pio Retreat Centre in Pretoria from June 16 to 20. Global statistics underscore the gravity of the issue. The IOM reports that approximately 40.3 million people were trafficked worldwide in 2017, with an estimated 25 percent of all trafficking crimes occurring in Africa. The Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC) dataset recorded nearly 2,000 children trafficked across East, the Horn, and Southern Africa between 2002 and 2022. These victims were exploited not only for economic reasons but also for sexual exploitation (47%), forced labor (35%), and other forms of exploitation (18%).
The Pillar
‘God is our Protector’: Israeli Christians cling to hope amid attacks
By Jack Figge, June 23, 2025
When the sirens do go off, it is a mad dash to the nearest shelter, if there is one nearby. If not, people take cover within the centers of their apartments, away from any glass or windows. Aznaq-Abu Sada said many Israelis support the government. “Sooner or later, Iran was going to hit us, so we will hit first. It is like David and Goliath. We got the stone and hit first,” she said. But not everyone agrees. “Not everyone is supporting the attack of Iran,” Samer Markarios said. “I always tell [my son], ‘No, don't worry. God is good to us. God is our protector’.” Father David Barton, LC, is the chaplain at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, a Vatican-owned guest house run by the Legionaries of Christ located next to the Old City. “People were asking me, ‘You are an American, you can leave. Why don't you?’ And I said, ‘Well, because my mission that God gave me is to serve you all, this is what I'm here for’,” Barton said.
Our Sunday Visitor
Catholics debate Church teaching on eternal punishment & hell
By Robert Duncan, June 24, 2024
“Not a Hope in Hell” is Dominican Father James Dominic Rooney’s 2025 book-length defense of eternal damnation — a Catholic doctrine he says is increasingly debated in academic circles, and one he’s frequently invited to speak on across Asia. “Just a couple days ago I was in Singapore to discuss hell.” He receives several hell-related invitations each month, ranging from in-person talks across Asia to podcast interviews and article contributions. People in Asia “think it’s a fascinating discussion,” he said, noting that atheists in particular are intrigued by the challenge of reconciling hell with Christian teachings on God’s love and mercy. Father Rooney said hell remains a subject of both perennial and pressing debate. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the existence of hell and refers to it as an “eternal fire” of everlasting punishment. However, Some Catholic theologians renew interest in a view held by a few early Church Fathers: that, in the end, all will be saved and reunited with God
Vatican News
Tanzania: Bishops issue liturgical guidelines to curb abuses
By Sarah Pelaji, June 23, 2025
Notable difficulties, including reports of abductions, acts of violence, and concerns regarding the conduct of government and security forces, have marked the journey toward Tanzania’s October 2025 general elections. These issues have sparked important discussions about the electoral process, reforms, and the broader democratic environment in the country. In addition to the Bishops’ call for a day of prayer and fasting on 23 August outlined in a Pastoral Statement, the Bishops addressed themselves to conduct expected during certain liturgical celebrations. The Tanzanian prelates have criticised a tendency towards prolonged introductory remarks and explanations at the start of the Mass or before readings. The celebration itself should follow the proper liturgical order and rites as prescribed by the Church.
National Catholic Register
The abortion pill has been a complete game changer
By Zelda Caldwell, June 24, 2025
In the three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, the increased availability and use of the abortion pill has been a game changer, radically affecting the lives of women, the unborn, and those who defend them, as well as the abortion industry itself. According to the Guttmacher Institute, medicated abortion is the primary method used in abortions in the U.S., accounting for 63% of all reported abortions in 2023, up from 53% in 2020. More women are bypassing abortion facilities and buying the abortion pill online. A new study released by the pro-abortion initiative #WeCount, sponsored by the Society of Family Planning, found that women are increasingly purchasing abortion pills online from telehealth providers. Pro-life activists have no way of influencing a woman who is considering abortion if that woman is performing the abortion herself, in her own home.
From Loop & Agency to Satire for 6/25/25
CatholicVote: Daily LOOP
Read daily news and political impact stories at the “LOOP”
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GOP VOWS TO CONTINUE WORK OF PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT - Republican leaders in Congress yesterday marked the three-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade with celebratory words and vows to continue the work of the pro-life movement. “There are babies alive today who would not be here without Dobbs,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
ISRAELI FORCES SHOOT, KILL AT LEAST 25 GAZANS IN LINE FOR AID - Palestinian witnesses and hospitals reported yesterday that Israeli forces opened fire on hundreds of Gaza residents waiting for food aid from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in central Gaza, killing at least 25 and wounding over 140.
TEXAS RIDS CLASSROOMS OF CELL PHONE USE, ADDS 10 COMMANDMENTS- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, signed more than 300 bills into law this month, including two major education measures that ban student cell phone use during school hours and require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — June 25, 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.
Solemn farewell for victims of Damascus church bombing amid anger at government silence - Jun 25, 2025 - By Souhail Lawand - Churches across Syria held funeral services for the victims of the suicide bombing that targeted St. Elias Church.
U.S. attorney general confirms investigation into ‘DC Five’ aborted babies - Jun 24, 2025 - By Tessa Gervasini - Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed at a budget hearing that the controversy is “an ongoing investigation.”
International monitoring organization reports pedophilic videos online have tripled - Jun 24, 2025 - By Paris Apodaca - Moreover, in its annual report for 2024, Association Meter identified over 8,000 links to pedophilic content, with U.S.-based servers hosting the videos.
Babylon Bee - Satire News
Unearthed Ancient Sculpture Gives Insight Into How Much Ancient People Sucked At Art
By History Staff, June 5, 2025
A 5,600-year-old sculpture recently uncovered by archeologists has given art critics and researchers great insight into how much ancient people sucked at art. Researchers have not yet discovered what the misshapen, deformed, ugly statue is meant to portray. Scholarly opinion is unanimous, however, in declaring the work a prime example of how much the ancients failed at basic, easy art that even a child should be able to do. "In this piece, we can see the fine motor skills of a pre-schooler," said Clara Angithorn, a professor of art at Oxford. “Whoever made this really, really sucked at art. It would be a bit laughable, honestly, if it weren't so sad." The work sold for $34.2 million at auction,almost as pricey as a modern art piece of a rotten pomegranate in a bag of old coffee grounds and stapled to the wall.
Nutshell reflections for 6/25/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection Audio - June 25, 2025
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Catholic365
We are the ‘remnant’
By Eileen Renders, June 18, 2025
Because we are fragile, imperfect beings, we often want or believe we can only rely on ourselves, and that God has abandoned us. The truth is God never leaves us; it is we who often abandon Him through our sinful ways. This is why praying to God to increase our trust and offering up our crosses increases our spirituality and deepens our relationship with Him. We often want him to respond to our wishes right now, but it is always in His time, not ours. God often calls His remnant to service. He leads us in a way, often in ways we never imagined, where we could be of service. He lifts us to His purpose by filling us with abilities we never knew we could achieve. The remnant represents a small group of people who remain faithful to God amidst challenges and adversity.
National Catholic Register
Pope Leo’s family tree has it all
By Matthew McDonald, June 24, 2025
Shortly after Pope Leo XIV’s election on May 8, genealogists began researching his family tree, quickly establishing that some of his ancestors on his mother’s side were of African descent. The findings, which The New York Times published June 11 as an interactive report, astounded Harvard historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., who called the Pope’s multicultural background “one of the most diverse family trees we have ever created.” The more than 100 forbears the researchers have identified so far were born in France (40), Italy (24), Spain (21), the United States (22), Cuba (10), Canada (6), Haiti (1), and Guadeloupe (1). They include African slaves as well as slaveholders, at least two freedom fighters, and several remotely related celebrities. “Pope Leo’s diverse bloodline is a blessing to people and nations around the world, making him a spiritual father to all,” said Las Vegas Archbishop George Leo Thomas.
Church Life Journal
The saints are our only hope
By Cyril O'Regan, June 16, 2025
Saints are figures of all three of the theological virtues, that is, of faith, hope, and love. Perhaps in line with Saint Paul, one can say that they are figures of love or charity above all. Yet, even as this is so, hope in the very future of Christianity rests on their ability to provide a credible picture of a life lived in truth and love and thereby help to persuade a thoroughly self-satisfied modernity that the world is not a self-enclosed system, but a dialogue between God and the world summed up in prayer, wherein God comes to meet the individual sinner and confront corporate sin and in solidarity present the offer of a redeemed life and union with him. It is only because the saint finds his or her model in Christ, first in the thickness of incarnation, secondly in the extravagant and Eucharistic love of the Cross, and finally—though this is already implied in the Cross—in the resurrection into new life that affirms and transforms our very fleshy lives.
Missio Dei
Humility and obedience are necessary fruits
By Andrew McGovern, June 25, 2025
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:15-16). Today’s gospel is particularly relevant for our current time. In today’s world, we all have immediate access to a multitude of voices. Many of whom claim to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church. In a sea of YouTube talking heads and social media ‘armchair theologians,’ there are two overwhelming virtues as contrasted by their associated vices that are the fruit by which we will know them: Humility over Pride; and, Obedience over Disobedience. We must be able to observe the fruits of humility and obedience in any voice we choose to listen to. Pride causes us to place our interpretation or viewpoint above that of the Church and her Magisterium. Humility and obedience are the necessary fruits that guarantee that the voice we are listening to or reading is authentic and not a wolf seeking the ruin of our souls.
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
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