By Catholic News Service NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) — A priest of the Archdiocese of Newark resigned from active ministry May 2 after reports surfaced of his being with minors in apparent violation of a court’s memorandum of understanding that forbids him from contact with underage people.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the first time in history, the Vatican is home to a pope and a retired pope. Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, to the Vatican May 2 outside the convent remodeled for the 86-year-old retired pontiff …

Press Release DAYTON, Ohio — The Rev. Joseph Lackner, S.M., who died Sunday in Seoul, South Korea, following complications from a heart attack, is being remembered today for his intellectual curiosity, humor, care for others, cooking prowess — and ability to give a brilliant homily. “In my estimation, he was …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Going to confession isn’t like heading off to be tortured or punished, nor is it like going to the dry cleaners to get out a stain, Pope Francis said in a morning Mass homily. “It’s an encounter with Jesus” who …

By Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — A Philadelphia judge dismissed three of eight murder charges April 23 in the trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, a Philadelphia abortionist accused of killing babies said to be born alive at his clinic. Gosnell was arrested in January 2011 and charged with seven counts of …

By Catholic News Service BRUSSELS (CNS) — The Belgian bishops’ conference criticized an attack on its president, Archbishop Andre Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, during which he was soaked with water by half-naked women. Four bare-breasted protesters from the international FEMEN movement disrupted the April 23 evening debate at the Free University …

By Adam and Margaret Shaw Catholic News Service  NEW YORK (CNS) — In the words of Catholic novelist J.R.R. Tolkien, there may be only “one ring to rule them all.” But there is certainly more than one videogame adaptation out there of director Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” …

By Catholic News Service  A glance around the nation and world in Catholic news. Marriage is not for government to ‘define or redefine,’ says bishop WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) — Marriage “is a unique relationship between a man and a woman” and it’s not the government’s place to “define or redefine” …

By Catholic News Service  BOSTON (CNS) — The first name released of someone killed in the April 15 explosions at the Boston Marathon was that of 8-year-old Martin Richard, whose picture in newspapers showed him grinning broadly, apparently at his first Communion. Two bombs that exploded near the end of …

By Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis responded to the bombings in Boston by invoking peace for the souls of the departed, consolation for the suffering and strength for emergency and medical personnel. In a message sent to Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone …