As the world mourns this week’s fire at Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, three historically black Louisiana churches destroyed by arson in recent weeks are getting fundraising attention, thanks in part to the French tragedy. An online fundraiser for the three places of worship in St. Landry Parish had received more than $1 million in donations as of Wednesday morning, with the majority pouring in since the Paris fire. Fires destroyed St. Mary Baptist in Port Barre, and Greater Union Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant Baptist in Opelousas, between March 26 and April 4, authorities said. But it wasn’t until after Monday’s Notre Dame fire in Paris, which quickly sparked pledges of millions from French billionaires, that the drive to help the churches took off. He noted that rebuilding Notre Dame “will be well funded ... but these churches need your help.”38.

Source: Huffington Post April 17, 2019 15:54 UTC