Category: News affecting the Church

US: Louisiana chapel damaged by fire and vandalism, suspects arrested

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(Photo courtesy Diocese of Alexandria Facebook page)

TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

COLUMBIA, La. — St. John Chapel in Columbia was burglarized, vandalized and intentionally set on fire last week, damaging the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana according to a press release from the Diocese of Alexandria.

The incident occurred during the late evening hours of Thursday, March 26, or the early morning of Friday, March 27, the diocese said. No parishioners were present at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Local authorities confirmed that suspects have been identified and arrested in connection with the crime. Initial assessments indicate that portions of the church were desecrated during the incident, according to the release. Local media in Alexandria identify the suspects as a male 19, and a male, 20.

Alexandria Bishop Robert Marshall, Father Robert Johnson, the church’s pastoral administrator, and parishioners were on site Friday to cooperate with civil authorities and assess the extent of the damage.

“It is deeply unfortunate that this has occurred at any time,” Marshall said in the release, “but especially as we prepare to enter the most sacred season of Holy Week and Easter.”

The diocese said Masses will be celebrated each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at the Winters Clinic, located next to Caldwell Memorial Hospital at 421 Main St. in Columbia, until further notice.

The Diocese of Alexandria expressed gratitude to first responders for their efforts in addressing the fire and securing the site.

A restoration fund has been established to assist with repair and recovery efforts and is available through the Diocese of Alexandria website at freedonationkiosk.com. The diocese asked the faithful to keep the St. John Chapel community in their prayers.

US: Indiana man who said he targeted Church over satanic beliefs sentenced to federal prison

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JEFF TURNER

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — A 21-year-old Indiana man who told investigators he targeted the Maple Grove Baptist Church in Plainfield because of his involvement in Satanic groups has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for vandalizing a Baptist church sign, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

Steven James Perkinson, of Plainfield, Indiana, pleaded guilty to intentional damage to religious property and making a false statement to a United States agency. Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana imposed the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release following Perkinson’s prison term.

Investigators say a forensic review of Perkinson’s cell phone revealed searches for local churches, including “Maple Grove Baptist Church Plainfield,” “Churches near me,” and “Plainfield Bible Church photos.” His phone also contained searches for occult-related terms, including “Noctulian Blood Covenant” and “Nexion 435,” as well as searches for the “address of largest Jewish church in America,” the press release said.

Agents also found online messages in which Perkinson claimed to have access to firearms and encouraged mass violence, along with photographs of him posing with recently deceased animals and evidence that he had set fire to a dumpster, according to the press release.

Perkinson told investigators he was motivated by involvement in various Satanic groups and that he targeted the sign specifically because it belonged to a Christian church.

On Nov. 18, 2024, Perkinson spray-painted a pitchfork and the numbers “666” over the display on the sign in front of Maple Grove Baptist Church in Plainfield, and painted an “X” over the sign’s cross symbol, the press release said.

When agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation first questioned him, Perkinson denied any knowledge of involvement in the vandalism. He admitted to the act only after agents executed a search warrant on his cell phone.

The FBI had first become aware of Perkinson in 2023 following an Instagram post referencing school shootings, according to the press release.

Perkinson had no prior criminal record. The case was investigated by the FBI.

Renowned US geneticist & Christian author Francis Collins honored with top science award

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JEFF TURNER

Francis Collins, founder of the BioLogos faith and science organization, received the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal on Jan. 22 for his groundbreaking genetics work and leadership of the Human Genome Project. The academy’s most prestigious honour, established in 1914, recognizes exceptional scientific contributions serving public welfare.

Collins directed the National Center for Human Genome Research beginning in 1993, overseeing hundreds of researchers who completed the first full human genome sequence. This achievement revolutionized biomedical research and established foundations for precision medicine and genetic disease treatments. He implemented the Bermuda Principles, requiring daily public release of genome data in an unprecedented transparency commitment.

The geneticist was appointed by President Barak Obama to head the National Institutes of Health, a position he held from 2009 to 2021, serving under three presidential administrations whilst managing responses to the Ebola outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic. He championed Alzheimer’s research funding, launched the BRAIN Initiative for neuroscience advancement, and initiated the Cancer Moonshot programme.

Collins helped develop the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, safeguarding Americans from genetic data exploitation. He later advised President Joe Biden from 2022 to 2023, co-leading the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and directing a national hepatitis C elimination initiative.

His numerous accolades include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, National Medal of Science, Gairdner Foundation International Award, Templeton Prize, and membership in Britain’s Royal Society.

Collins has authored several influential books blending science and Christian faith. His key works include the bestseller The Language of God, which argues for the compatibility of faith and science, and the 2024 book The Road to Wisdom, which addresses truth and trust in a polarized world.

The National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal presentation will occur during the academy’s 163rd annual meeting on April 26.

Christian-Jewish Charity Delivers Ambulances to Syrian Minorities Near Israeli Border

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NOAH LEVY (Guest writer)

A Christian-Jewish humanitarian organisation has provided five refurbished ambulances to religious minority populations in southern Syria as violence against Christian and Druze communities escalates, according to a press release from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

The vehicles, formerly operated by Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service, were transferred to local medical teams on Sunday and fitted with medical kits to equip emergency medical technicians and doctors responding to civilian casualties.

Medical personnel also received first-aid and emergency response instruction from MDA paramedics focussing on proper operation of the vehicles and equipment.

The Fellowship coordinated the transfer with Magen David Adom, COGAT and the Israel Defence Forces.

“When Druze and Christian communities just across our border are targeted for their faith, indifference is not an option,” Yael Eckstein, the Fellowship’s president and global chief executive, said in the statement.

The delivery follows attacks on the minority populations over the past year in areas where access to emergency medical care remains limited.

Last year, the Fellowship established two medical clinics in buffer zone villages, supplied hospitals in the Al-Suwayda region with equipment and medicines, and distributed thousands of food parcels to families affected by recent violence.

The organisation has previously assisted persecuted Christians in the region, including providing food aid, funding medical facilities and supporting refugees fleeing Islamic State attacks.

US Justice department investigates after protesters storm worship service

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(EDITOR NOTE: This article is presented because it is something that affects the church. Its presentation is not intended to ‘take sides’ on a divisive issue. Feel free to leave comments in the comments section. Uncivil comments will not be approved. Be respectful.)

Federal authorities are examining whether civil rights were violated when demonstrators interrupted a Sunday service at a St. Paul church.

The protest targeted pastor David Easterwood, who allegedly oversees local Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Activists chanted demands for accountability following the fatal police shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old who was involved in an incident with ICE agents during an ICE operation in Minneapolis this month. Don Lemon livestreamed a portion of the event from inside the church building on YouTube.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated houses of worship aren’t public forums and are protected by federal law.

Black Lives Matter Minnesota helped organise the demonstration, which protesters livestreamed on social media.