WILMINGTON, N.C. (RNS) With 10 percent unemployment in this corner of North Carolina, the search-for-work story of Gerry Murphy and Andrea Kanelopoulos-Murphy could be a common one. But the couple believe their unique marriage -- he's a former Catholic priest -- sometimes makes it harder to find the right workplace. By Amanda Greene.

NEW YORK (RNS) The Rev. Benedict Groeschel, a popular Franciscan friar who defended priests who sexually abuse children and blamed some victims for “seducing” them, has apologized for the controversial remarks. By David Gibson.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Maybe now, reporters, bloggers, outsiders and even many Mormons will accept that the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not forbid drinking cola. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

(RNS) Read the text of Cardinal Timothy Dolan's closing benediction to the Republican convention in Tampa, a prayer that had something to cheer and challenge everyone -- if they were listening.

Mitt Romney says his neighbors never cared he was Mormon. Fransican friar Benedict Groeschel apologizes for saying children were often responsible for their sexual abuse.. Mormons may imbibe cola.

RNS Editor-in-Chief Kevin Eckstrom talks with Kim Lawton of Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly about what she saw and heard at this week's Republican National Convention in Tampa.

(RNS) The host city for the Democratic National Convention is not a particularly political town. Charlotte, N.C. is known for three other things: banking, NASCAR and religion. And when it comes to religion, Billy Graham’s spirit looms large. By Lauren Markoe.

(RNS) The Rev. Benedict Groeschel on Thursday evening apologized for comments he made defending clergy abusers and blaming victims. The remarks by the popular priest sparked a firestorm of controversy.

(RNS) On the first Monday of September, America honors working stiffs by taking a paid day off. But does Labor Day celebrate an enterprise that God invented as a punishment? By Daniel Burke.

NEW YORK (RNS) The Rev. Benedict Groeschel, a prominent author and speaker who is especially popular with conservative Catholics and bishops, has sparked outrage by saying that priests who sexually abuse children "on their first offense" should not go to jail. He added that in “a lot of cases” the child is “the seducer.” By David Gibson and Daniel Burke.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A lawyer for Pope Benedict XVI's former butler announced on Thursday (Aug. 30) that he was resigning over differences in defense strategy with his client. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) Two U.S. regional groups of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have recently approved the ordination of women pastors, moving ahead of the worldwide church that has begun a study of the issue. By Adelle M. Banks.

Mike Huckabee calls President Obama a "self-professed evangelical" (really?), New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan will talk to "anyone anywhere about anything" and Muslim clerics can't decide whether it's sinful for Muslims to dance.

(RNS) It would be an error to underestimate or write off the Protestant influence in the American political arena. But with the rapid demographic and sociological changes now underway, get ready for Hindus, Jews, Hispanics, Buddhists, Muslims, gays, women, atheists and many other groups to head up future presidential tickets. By A. James Rudin.

SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) Churches in Washington state are being reminded that collecting money for a political cause is not OK -- including a high-stakes ballot battle over gay marriage. By Tracy Simmons.