RNS Morning Report: Congressional Gold Medal; Lady of La Vang shrine; Zayn’s faith

The Rev. James Lawson, United Methodist advocate for civil rights and nonviolence, at a reception in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14, 2018. Members of Congress announced support of legislation to recognize him with a Congressional Gold Medal. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Need to know: Monday, November 19, 2018

Rev. James Lawson, nonviolence advocate, recommended for Congressional Gold Medal

"Nonviolence is the force that can save our nation from itself," Lawson said at a congressional reception announcing plans to honor him.

Shrine to Vietnamese Lady of La Vang rises in Southern California

The new statue will commemorate the Marian apparition at La Vang in the late 1700s, a centerpiece of Vietnamese Catholic faith.

Pop heartthrob Zayn Malik says he’s no longer Muslim, leaving his Muslim fans divided

The former One Direction singer says he appreciates his religious upbringing but is no longer religious himself, beyond a "spiritual belief" in a God.

Why American doctors need to hold the line on physician-assisted suicide

The trend is toward acceptance of a practice that raises questions about the very meaning of health care, writes Charles C. Camosy.

Oprah pal and spirituality guru plans 2020 run

Add one more name to the growing list of Democrats preparing to run for president in 2020: Marianne Williamson — pal of Oprah, spirituality guru and fixture of Hollywood's New Age community.

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Lutheran comfort dogs bring compassion, care during disasters

Golden retrievers from Lutheran Church Charities' K-9 Ministries tended to survivors of a shooting and wildfires in California in past days.

U.S. Catholic bishops head for global meeting on sex abuse anxious for progress

The bishops' annual meeting closed without any firm resolution, setting the Vatican and American prelates on a collision course.

As immigrants come north, ‘Let Our Families Go’ caravan heads for border tent city

The goal of the trip, an organizer said, is to 'raise our voices and ensure that indefinite detention of asylum seekers does not happen.'

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Big changes ahead for Mormon missionaries, as “service missions” start in January

The good news is that Mormon missions are expanding to include humanitarian service opportunities, shorter lengths of service, and less stressful living arrangements. The bad news is that it may be ghettoizing people with disabilities, writes Jana Riess.

Flawed people, great power clashed in worlds of Stan Lee’s creations

(RNS) — His characters demonstrate how heroism comes not from superpowers but from the willingness to use what we have to do what we can, however we can.

Clergy sex abuse: Why a national all-faiths inquiry is needed  

If we want our children to be safer, we cannot afford the comfortable delusion that this is an isolated problem, write Christa Brown and David Clohessy.

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