Cecil L ‘Chip’ Murray, influential pastor and civil rights leader in Los Angeles, dies
Los Angeles AP Rev Dr Cecil L “Chip” Murray, an influential pastor and civil rights leader who used his tenure at one of Los Angeles’ oldest churches to uplift the predominantly Black neighbourhoods of South Los Angeles following one of the country’s worst race riots, has died. He was 94. Murray died on Friday, according […]
Three crosses burned at a small Los Angeles church and authorities investigate possible hate crime
Los Angeles, USAP Three wooden crosses outside a small Los Angeles church were found burned early Thursday, and authorities said it was being investigated as a possible hate crime. Firefighters responded to a report of a fire shortly before 5am in the Sylmar area and found the flames were already out, leaving smoldering wood, Fire […]
Thousands attend funeral Mass for beloved Los Angeles Bishop David O’Connell
Los Angeles, US RNS Catholics, multi-faith clergy and elected leaders from across Southern California filled the pews of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles on Friday for the funeral Mass of Auxiliary Bishop David Gerard O’Connell, a beloved priest regarded as a “peacekeeper,” a “man of the people” and […]
“He was one of us” – Mourners stunned by shooting death of beloved Los Angeles bishop as arrest made
Last updated: 5pm (AEST)Hacienda Heights, California, USRNS The suspect arrested in Saturday’s shooting of Roman Catholic Bishop David G O’Connell is Carlos Medina, the husband of the bishop’s housekeeper, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. The sheriff made the announcement at a press conference Monday afternoon with a visibly distraught Archbishop José H […]
Updated: Death toll from California massacre rises to 11 as police look for motive
Updated: 10:30am (AEST)Monterey Park, California, USReuters An 11th victim died from injuries on Monday after an elderly gunman’s deadly rampage at a Los Angeles-area dance hall, California police said, as authorities were still searching for a motive behind one of the state’s worst mass shootings. Police identified 72-year-old Huu Can Tran as the suspect in […]
Urban revitalisation: Can crowdfunded property turn rundown neighbourhoods around?
CAREY L BIRON, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how the idea of harnessing small-scale investors for real estate development – boosted by digital platforms – is gaining momentum nationally…
Former La Luz del Mundo members say pastor deserves longer sentence
Los Angeles, US RNS Detractors and ex-members of La Luz del Mundo say its leader deserved a more severe punishment than the nearly 17-year sentence he received on Wednesday for sexually abusing young female followers who said he made them his sex slaves. In court, five young women the pastor was charged with sexually abusing […]
Postcards: In World War II, Japanese Americans’ faith helped them survive their incarceration
ALEJANDRA MOLINA, of Religion News Service, reports on the new ‘Sutra and Bible’ exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles which explores the role of religion in the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II…
Essay: Thirty years after Rodney King unrest, one faith leader’s vision still inspires LA
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s RICHARD FLORY and NJUMA SMITH-POLLARD, reflect – in an article first published on Religion News Service – on the role faith-based organisations have played in creating positive social change in Los Angeles in the wake of the 1992 unrest…
In the US, Rev Al Sharpton calls for justice in police killing of Valentina Orellana Peralta
Los Angeles, USRNS Rev Al Sharpton, speaking at the funeral of the 14-year-old fatally shot by a Los Angeles Police Department officer, recalled coming to Los Angeles 30 years ago to protest the beating of Rodney King by police. “We keep seeing LAPD get it wrong. And here we are again. How long will it […]