Catholic Nutshell News: Monday, October 26, 2026
Catholics should know: Study of priests who left; Blowback on bishops with Trump; Russian Orthodox Church; and Knowing God exists is not enough.
Edited by John Francis Pearring | Catholic Nutshell News
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Today’s Catholic News
Our Sunday Visitor — OSV News
Study will identify why some priests leave the ministry
By Gina Christian | October 23, 2026
The Catholic University of America has launched a study examining why some priests leave active ministry during the early years following ordination. Researchers will investigate whether departures have increased and what circumstances may contribute to them.
Working with Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, the study will examine approximately 9,000 men ordained for U.S. dioceses between 2006 and 2025. Researchers expect to release findings in fall 2027.
National Catholic Register
Blowback pushes one bishop to apologize about Trump meeting
By Tina Dennelly / EWTN | October 25, 2026
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob issued a public apology following an October 22 meeting between Catholic bishops and President Donald Trump at the White House. Grob explained that the meeting was publicized without participants’ consent and that he had not intended to cause confusion or disappointment among Catholics.
Denver Archbishop James Golka, who led prayer during the meeting, separately defended his participation.
Related reporting:
- Denver archbishop responds to criticism over Trump prayer meeting: ‘I was being a Catholic priest’ — Daniel Payne, EWTN News
- CatholicVote president defends bishops who prayed over Trump — McKenna Snow, Zeale
EWTN News
Catholic Church in Egypt keeping youths attached to their faith
By Amira Abuzeid | October 17, 2026
Coptic Catholic Bishop Emmanuel Bishay of Luxor discusses the challenge of maintaining young Catholics’ attachment to the Church, particularly when they marry.
The Church is responding with faith formation programs and opportunities for young Catholics to meet and build relationships. Bishay also describes generally positive relations between Catholic and Orthodox communities in Egypt.
PIME AsiaNews
Russian Orthodox Church challenged with moral framework in war
By Vladimir Rozanskij | October 26, 2026
As Russia’s war with Ukraine continues, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church are discussing the relationship between economic decisions, moral law, and religious belief.
Ilya Kuzmenkov, vice-president of the Synodal Department for Church-Society Relations, argues that economic decisions necessarily involve ethical choices and that understanding moral principles and Gospel teaching is important to responsible economic activity.
The Pillar
Are excommunicated SSPX confessions and weddings still valid?
By Ed. Condon | October 21, 2026
Questions remain about the canonical consequences of the Vatican’s decree excommunicating the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X.
The Pillar examines whether SSPX clergy can validly administer confession and marriage, including reported differences in canonical interpretations among Vatican departments.
Zeale
Pope Leo: Knowing God exists is not enough
By McKenna Snow | October 25, 2026
During his October 25 Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that knowing God exists is not sufficient for the fullness of Christian faith.
Reflecting on Christ’s teaching about the greatest commandment, the Pope encouraged believers to cultivate a personal relationship with God founded on wholehearted love.
Aleteia
Lawyer donates salary to keep pediatrician in his town
By Cecilia Zinicola | Originally published March 23, 2020
Argentine lawyer Sebastián Darrichón quietly donated the salary from his municipal position to help keep a pediatrician serving children in Puerto Gaboto.
The donation became public through a municipal announcement. Darrichón described his decision as an expression of gratitude.
Related: Woman donates kidney to ex-husband for the sake of their children — Dolors Massot, Aleteia
ZENIT
Law gives priests and other clergy an opening to Social Security
By ZENIT Staff | October 25, 2026
Legislation signed by President Trump on October 20 provides a limited opportunity for eligible clergy who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare to resume participation.
The measure establishes a two-year election window covering tax years 2029 and 2030. Clergy who rejoin must still satisfy ordinary contribution requirements before qualifying for benefits.
Keep Informed — More Catholic Headlines
EWTN News
Polish bishops oppose abortion bills, name historian to lead abuse commission
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Poland’s Catholic bishops oppose proposed legislation easing abortion restrictions and announce leadership for a commission investigating sexual abuse of minors in the Church.
Rights group urges immediate release of six Christians detained over TikTok video in Egypt
Alliance Defending Freedom International calls for the release of six young Christians detained in Egypt following a social media video authorities considered offensive to Islam.
Virgin of Guadalupe takes center stage at U.S. Hispanic ministry meeting
By David Ramos
A U.S. Hispanic ministry gathering highlights devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the spiritual significance of St. Juan Diego.
Aleteia
Love fiercely, says dad of special needs daughter
Andrew Bodoh shares his family’s experience raising a daughter with a rare brain disorder and the lessons explored in his book Love Fiercely.
4 People who died in the 1990s closer to sainthood
The Vatican advances several causes for canonization, including those of Catholics who died in relatively recent decades.
The value of stability when we’re looking to escape
A reflection on the value of perseverance and stability in relationships, community, and religious life.
Catholic World News — CatholicCulture.org
Ukrainian Catholic leader thanks Pontiff for support, gives him prisoners’ list
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk thanks Pope Leo XIV for Vatican efforts to secure the release of prisoners and presents a new list of Ukrainian detainees.
Cardinal Parolin condemns anti-Semitism, distinguishes it from criticism of Israeli policies
The Vatican Secretary of State reaffirms the Holy See’s rejection of anti-Semitism while addressing distinctions between religious prejudice and criticism of government policies.
Vatican diplomat expresses ‘profound concern’ about nuclear landscape
A Holy See representative warns about expanding nuclear arsenals and the risks associated with integrating artificial intelligence into nuclear-related systems.
Daily Mass Readings
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
October 26, 2026
Today’s Catholic Commentary
The following selections reflect the reporting and perspectives of their original authors.
ONE Magazine — Catholic Near East Welfare Association
War in Ukraine is reshaping children’s minds
By Anna Klochko | September 2026
Klochko reports on the experiences of Ukrainian children whose lives have been changed by war.
Among them is young gymnast Oleksandra Paskal, who lost a leg during a Russian missile strike and later returned to athletic training. The report also examines the work of families, educators, and Catholic organizations helping children recover from physical injury, displacement, and psychological trauma.
The Pillar
I actually found the new dicastery document rather powerful
By Edgar Beltrán | October 22, 2026
Beltrán examines Venite ad me, a document issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the transmission of Catholic faith amid major cultural changes.
The document addresses catechesis, evangelization, family life, and the challenges of communicating the Gospel in increasingly secular societies.
Aleteia
Their martyrdom left the diocese with only half its priests
By Daniel Esparza | October 26, 2026
The Church honors 20 diocesan priests from Ibiza and Formentera who were killed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
The priests represented a substantial portion of the local clergy. Their cause for beatification identifies their religious vocation as the reason for their deaths.
The Imaginative Conservative
By L. Joseph Hebert, Jr. | October 25, 2026
Hebert considers Plato’s account of the ideal city, Thomas More’s Utopia, and the relationship between political ideals and the formation of individual character.
Drawing on Frank Mitjans’ study of Thomas More, the essay examines how philosophical images of political perfection can illuminate questions of personal moral development.
About Catholic Nutshell News
Catholic Nutshell News is a free Monday–Saturday Catholic news briefing for faithful, hopeful, and curious Catholics.
Each edition brings together important reporting, commentary, and spiritual resources from Catholic publications around the world.
Read the complete Monday, October 26 edition and subscribe to Catholic Nutshell News
Edited by John Pearring.
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