Washington Nationals scandal heats up

Thursday, May 28  CATHOLICVOTE PRESIDENT CONFRONTS WASHINGTON NATIONALS  After reports that a senior executive with the Washington Nationals excluded Catholic pitcher Trevor Williams from the team’s social media because of his faith, CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt called on Nationals owner Mark Lerner in a May 27 statement to explain the decision. “The message to the Washington Nationals is clear," she stated: "Catholics will not be quietly pushed out of public life.” ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

View in browser THURSDAY, MAY 28 CATHOLICVOTE PRESIDENT CONFRONTS WASHINGTON NATIONALS  After reports that a senior executive with the Washington Nationals excluded Catholic pitcher Trevor Williams from the team’s social media because of his faith, CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt called on Nationals owner Mark Lerner in a May 27 statement to explain the decision. “The message to the Washington Nationals is clear," she stated: "Catholics will not be quietly pushed out of public life.”  READ AMERICA'S FIRST CLINIC FOR DETRANSITIONERS?  Texas Children’s Hospital, the largest pediatric hospital in the U.S., has agreed to create what state officials described as the country’s first dedicated clinic for patients seeking to detransition after undergoing “gender-transition” procedures.  READ  TRUMP: US WILL 'FINISH THE JOB' UNLESS IRAN CAVES ON DEAL  During a White House cabinet meeting yesterday, President Donald Trump said he feels confident the U.S. and Iran can arrive at a deal to end hositilities, but also threatened new acts of war if there is any backtracking on nuclear restrictions or the opening of the Hormuz Strait. "We’re not satisfied" with Iran's proposal yet, Trump said, "but we will be — either that or we’ll have to just finish the job."  READ AD: DOES YOUR PORTFOLIO REFLECT YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH?  What if your portfolio reflected the same values that guide your family? I'm Michael R. Acosta, CFP® at Genesis Wealth Planning — a Catholic advisor who builds faith-aligned portfolios screened for Church social teaching, structured beyond standard ETFs and mutual funds. Welcome, LOOPers. See how to align your investments with what your family stands for.  SEE THE APPROACH BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS REPORTEDLY LOST TO FRAUD  During his meeting with state attorneys general this week, Vice President JD Vance revealed that his task force on fraud had discovered billions of taxpayer dollars had been lost to waste and criminal scams, including over $25 billion in suspected fraudulent government contracts and COVID-related grants and loans.  READ DEVOUT CATHOLIC BOSTON CELTICS COACH HONORED  Joe Mazzulla, the openly devout Catholic coach of the Boston Celtics, was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season on May 26 after guiding Boston to 56 wins despite injuries, roster turnover, and the absence of several key players for much of the year.  READ HOUSE-PASSED BILL COULD EMPOWER PARENTS AT SCHOOL  The House passed legislation May 20 that would strengthen parental oversight in public elementary and middle schools and require parental consent before schools change a student’s gender designation, pronouns, or sex-based accommodations. Here are the details.  READ AD: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF PRO-LIFE PHONE SERVICE!  Charity Mobile has provided excellent service since 1996 to people just like you, and to pro-life causes nationwide.  JOIN THE CELEBRATION AND SWITCH TO CHARITY MOBILE POPE LEO TELLS PRIESTS TO KEEP INNOVATIONS OUT OF MASS  During his May 27 General Audience speaking about the Second Vatican Council document on liturgy, Pope Leo XIV called on clergy to maintain respect for the texts and regulations of the liturgy when celebrating Mass rather than adding, removing, or altering anything on their own.  READ MORE US DIOCESES GAINING SEMINARIANS THAN LOSING THEM  A new report found more U.S. Latin-rite dioceses gained seminarians than lost them between 2024 and 2025, with the total reaching 3,035 — a nearly 2% increase. The leading diocese was the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, which saw a 23% jump and recorded the highest seminarian-to-Catholic ratio in the country.  READ BRIGHTEN UP DINNER WITH RADISH SCALLION CHICKEN  This weeknight-friendly recipe takes grilled chicken cutlets and tops them with a crisp, herby mixture of radishes, green onions, and fresh dill tossed in a zesty vinaigrette with horseradish and a kick of red pepper flakes.  READ CATHOLIC 101  Friar Nazareno da Pula, an Italian lay brother who met Padre Pio in 1950 and became beloved for handing out sweets while asking people to pray a Hail Mary, was declared Venerable by the Vatican. Here's more of his story.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski, the bishop of Plock, Poland, refused to abandon his flock or renounce his faith under Nazi persecution and was beaten to death in the Dzialdowo camp in 1941. He was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1999.  READ DAILY PSALM  "Come with joy into the presence of the Lord." (Psalm 100)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ NEW ZEALE EPISODE  Tom's FIRST TIME riding a dirt bike takes him through the California desert with veteran riders and introduces him to a uniquely American culture of grit and determination. Watch Tom Across America.  STREAM IT NOW SUPPORT THE MISSION OF CATHOLICVOTE  If the LOOP has helped you stay informed and better prepared to engage today’s cultural and political challenges, would you consider helping sustain it? Champions are CatholicVote’s monthly supporters who make this work possible, powering the LOOP and supporting our reporting, advocacy, and voter education efforts year-round. Join the Champions Club today with a monthly gift of $10 or more and help keep Catholics informed and engaged.  BECOME A CHAMPION Have feedback? Click here! 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