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Hello, I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News, and this is your OSV Newscast for Tuesday, July 7th, 2026. Let's catch you up on the Catholic News of the Day. Here we go. French Catholics attached to the traditional Latin Mass but loyal to Rome are expressing deep sadness after the Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops without papal approval last week, prompting the Vatican to declare the group in schism and excommunicate six SSPX bishops. Even amid that turmoil, traditionalist Catholics in communion with the Holy See are helping prepare for Pope Leo XIV's September 25th to 28 visit to France. Philippe de Rontier, president of the association Notre-Dame des Chretes, told OSV News his organization has been tapped to provide volunteers and logistical support for the Pope's youth vigil at Stad de France and a mass in central Paris expected to draw nearly 500,000 people. He said the collaboration reflects growing ties between traditionalist communities and the wider church. Despite strained relations with some French bishops following the SSPX split, Durantiere said many faithful attached to the traditional rite are already asking their priests about arranging buses to Paris to welcome the Pope. Father Crapin Marshall Munga, vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish in Zemio, was shot and killed by armed men on June 29th near his residence in the Central African Republic. Church leaders believe the attack may have been directly linked to his work mediating between armed groups and local authorities. Bishop Aurelio Gazera of Bangasu praised Father Munga's extraordinary ministry, noting that the parish had at times sheltered more than 3,000 refugees. At the time of his death, it was still housing approximately 2,000 displaced people. Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide called for a full investigation and urged continued support for peace building in the region. Father Munga's death is a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity in the Central African Republic, where the Catholic Church remains a critical force for reconciliation. Concerns are mounting over the fate of an 80-year-old bishop in Nicaragua who was detained by police and whose whereabouts remain uncertain despite government claims he is free. Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata was apprehended June 29th, one day after celebrating Mass in Esteli and asking the faithful to pray for the persecuted church. Nicaragua's interior ministry claimed in a July 4th statement that Bishop Mata has returned home and remains in perfect condition. But church observers and exiled lawyer, Martha Patricia Molina, say no one close to the bishop has actually seen him. Until the dictatorship presents the bishop safe and sound at his home, any statement they issue is a lie, Molina said. Reports also indicate that Father Francisco Morales, pastor of the parish where Bishop Mata celebrated Mass prior to his detention, was also detained. His whereabouts also remain unknown. The U.S. State Department condemned what it called the bishop's arbitrary detention and renewed criticism of the Ortega Morillo government for religious persecution. More than 300 priests, religious, and seminarians, along with four bishops, are now living in exile, according to Molina. The one-year defunding provision was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. Although Planned Parenthood was not named directly in the provision, it sued, arguing the parameters effectively singled it out. But courts ultimately allowed the provision to go into effect for its one-year duration. Now that it has lapsed, prolife groups are pushing lawmakers to include a similar measure in an upcoming reconciliation bill. Kelsey Pritchard, communications director for Susan B. Anthony ProLife America, told OSV News that SBA is calling on Congress to include a comparable provision in a third reconciliation bill Republicans are seeking to pass before the midterm elections. However, the prospects for that package remain unclear, amid disagreements within the party on several other issues as well. But the 4th of July celebration at a small Wisconsin shrine was unlike anything else in the country this past weekend. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion hosted a gathering honoring 76 Catholic Saints of America over the holiday weekend, bringing together families, relics of 14 saints and blesseds, and displays from shrines and guilds from around the country. Champion's Shrine holds a unique distinction. It is the only church-approved site of American in the entire United States. Father Nathan Mud, chaplain of the shrine, captured the spirit of the celebration with a simple but striking reflection. Yes, we are all faithful citizens of the United States of America, he said, but we are first of all, by baptism, Catholics. And that identity, as sons and daughters of God by baptism, is always going to be more important. He added with evident joy, everybody came to mom's for the fourth. Mary gathered all her children at her house. And that's your OSV Newscast for today. I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News. Check out the show notes for direct links to the stories in this episode. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com. Thanks so much for listening and God bless. This has been an OSV News production. To learn more, visit osvnews.com.