Extra, extra! News and views for Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Synodality Will Kill Catholicism (The Catholic Thing): “The Catholic Church has always distinguished itself from other Christian bodies by its claim to possess, and be bound by, a deposit of faith handed down from the Apostles.”

Italian bishop reportedly set to leave diocese following Vatican visitation (Advaticanum): “Bishop Guido Gallese of Alessandria is reportedly set to leave his diocese following an apostolic visitation earlier this year, according to the Italian news portal Lo Spiffero.”

The Deep Divide between Anglicanism and Catholicism (Dwight Longnecker – Substack): “Dressing up as a Catholic and professing Catholic beliefs and performing Catholic type devotions is not the same thing as being Catholic. The gap is deep, not wide.”

Should Christians Fight Culture Wars?: Review of Nigel Biggar’s “The New Dark Age” (Providence): “Getting involved in the culture wars is a prospect that makes many Christians uneasy, and for good reason.”

Muslim Communities Vow To Defy Austria’s New Headscarf Ban (European Conservative): “Austria’s ban on Islamic headscarves for girls under 14 is set to take effect next month.”

The Florida Bishops’ Dangerous Bet (Catholic Answers): “Catholics are taking sides over the Florida attorney general’s recent letter to the state’s bishop conference instructing its Catholic schools to permit religious exemptions from vaccine requirements.”

Leo XIV: An Augustinian through-and-through (and still an enigma) [Crux]: “In two speeches over the weekend, Pope Leo XIV reminded Vatican watchers of three things: There is an Augustinian sitting on the See of Peter; he is a man of powerfully incisive and thoroughly formed understanding; and, we still do not know very much about how he intends to govern.”

Pope Leo and Fantasy Camp Catholicism (What We Need Now): “What the Church needs now more than anything is unity. “