RNS Morning Report: Pope Francis wants two women on the committee

Top Stories Pope Francis wants two women on the committee that proposes bishops VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis’ efforts to include more laity, and women, in the church, have garnered praise and criticism.   Biden honors Greek Orthodox priest, Catholic nun with Medal of Freedom WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'For so many people and for the nation, Sister Simone Campbell is a gift from God,' Biden said.   Couple’s model for living faith at home could change Catholicism one family at a time (RNS) — Gregory and Lisa Popcak want to empower the laity by sacralizing the small things families do every day.   Judge: Execution can’t proceed without religious requests HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials granted all of Gonzales’ requests except for allowing his spiritual adviser to hold his hand.   Georgia Guidestones, long treasured and feared, demolished after attack (RNS) — ‘The stones would probably have survived a nuclear war,’ said a local historian, ‘but they could not survive Southern culture.’   A hajj closer to normal: 1 million Muslims begin pilgrimage MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — While this year’s attendance is far below the pre-pandemic influx of 2.5 million pilgrims, it represents a significant step closer to normal after the kingdom restricted the event to a small number of Muslim residents for the past two years.   Presbyterians to divest from 5 oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, after years of debate (RNS) — Presbyterians have long had ties to the oil industry, as have many other faith groups in the United States. Leaders see this year’s vote as a sign that addressing climate change is gaining momentum. RNS Opinion The UN’s positions on Israel are not gospel. Why do Christians cite them? (RNS) — How can we explain important church groups’ preoccupation with, and stridency on, Israel?   How the Virgin Mary is marshaled for religious nationalism and military campaigns (The Conversation) — Many religions have been used to prop up nationalism, and Catholicism is no exception, as a Jesuit priest and scholar explains. ICYMI Religious freedom doesn’t end with Supreme Court protection of Christians (RNS) — News outlets have labeled the current court ‘pro-religion.’ It’s more complicated than that.   Trey Pearson, former CCM artist, celebrates LGBTQ freedom in new album (RNS) — This is the former Christian rocker’s second album since coming out as gay in 2016. In Other News The Supreme Court is decimating public education as a common good Biden honors 17 people with Presidential Medal of Freedom   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend