Vandals daub death threats on Jerusalem church
AFP – Attackers daubed death threats on the walls of the Baptist House church in central Jerusalem overnight and vandalised three cars parked nearby in the latest "price tag" hate crime, police said on Monday. "Anti-Christian graffiti was found on the walls of the Baptist church and the tyres of three cars parked nearby were [...]
Augusta church reports gunshots fired through window
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Members of a well-known Augusta congregation are a little shaken up this evening after a gunman fired shots through a window of their church this weekend. Now leaders at the United House of Prayer are calling for change in their community. A church is usually thought of as a place of peace [...]
Va. mosque vandalism draws sympathy for long-persecuted Muslim sect
In late January, workmen in Chantilly erected a minaret on the roof of a new building, the first highly visible sign that it was to be a mosque. That night, vandals hurled rocks at its arched windows, shattering many. Empty beer cans and liquor bottles were scattered on the mosque’s grounds and roof. The attackers [...]
Cops probe claim that … 73-y-o deacon fondles child at church
Police yesterday charged a 73-year-old deacon with breaches of the Child Care and Protection Act after he was accused of having sex with an 11-year-old girl at the church where they both attend. The senior, who had been under investigations following an incident last December, is alleged to have attempted to bribe the child with [...]
Lakeland church pastor dies months after shooting rampage
The associate pastor of a Lakeland church that was shot three times in a September shooting rampage was found dead inside his home last week, officials said. Carl Stewart, a member of the ministerial staff at Greater Faith Christian Church, was found Thursday by a friend that routinely checked on the 65-year-old man, said Polk [...]
Why church fraud happens more often than you think
MOORHEAD – As pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, N.D., the Rev. Alan R. Werth said he stayed far away from the congregation’s money. He didn’t want to be accused of mishandling funds. So when Werth found out in 2001 that the church’s secretary just down the hall stole more than $160,000 over three [...]
Metal thieves cause gas leak after raiding Westcliff synagogue
THIEVES risked causing an explosion at a synagogue when they stole copper piping. Crooks ripped the metal down from Southend and District Reform Synagogue, causing gas to escape into the street for about ten hours. They then carried the ten feet of piping away in full view of passing traffic in London Road, Westcliff. Luckily [...]
Memorial service set for woman accidentally shot at church
ST. PETERSBURG – A memorial service for Hannah Grace Kelley, the young woman who died after being struck by a bullet at her church, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Chapel in Pinellas Park. Kelley died Saturday, nearly a week after being critically injured in an apparent accidental discharge of a firearm [...]
Young woman who was shot in head at Lealman church dies
ST. PETERSBURG — Hannah Kelley always saved a hug for her dad after he finished preaching the Sunday morning message at Grace Connection Church. He always made sure to kiss the top of her head. Father and daughter went through the ritual last Sunday, just like they always did. "She said he did a good [...]
Remembering Murdered Priests: 25 Years Later
BUFFALO, NY- This year marks 25 years since a crime that sent chills throughout Western New York. Father Joseph Bissonette and Monsignor David Herlihy were murdered within days of each other. This weekend, Western New York Catholics will be celebrating their lives. Now the detective who helped crack the case is sharing his story. St. [...]
FBI: Race a factor in church vandalism
LAFAYETTE — A 34-year-old Lafayette man was indicted in federal court this week for allegedly defacing two local churches in February 2011 because of the race, color and ethnicity of their congregations. Brian Toriano Crimiel, who is black, was arrested last year for allegedly spray-painting racial slurs and leaving hate-filled notes strewn about St. James [...]
CORONA: Church bookkeeper suspected of stealing thousands
A longtime bookkeeper at a Corona church has been arrested on suspicion of stealing $220,000 from the ministry since 2003. Charges have not yet been filed against Gigi Wellott, 47, of Corona. Prosecutors are still reviewing the allegations and do not have an estimate on when charges would be filed, said John Hall, spokesman for [...]
US Capitol plot suspect mulled synagogue attack
WASHINGTON – A Moroccan man who allegedly wanted to conduct a suicide bombing attack on the US Capitol had considered attacking a synagogue, according to authorities. Amine El Khalifi, 29, was arrested near the US Capitol on Friday wearing a vest he believed was full of al Qaida-supplied explosives and charged in an attempted suicide [...]
Pastor sentenced to 5 years on embezzlement charges
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – A former Midlands pastor has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after he pled guilty to embezzling over $250,000 from his church. The Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office says Charles Ledford embezzled $253,827.43 from the Elmwood Avenue Church of God over a 10-year period. Police opened an investigation in April 2011 [...]
Young woman accidentally shot at father’s church dies
ST. PETERSBURG – Hannah Grace Kelley, the popular 20-year-old woman who was struck in the head by a bullet last Sunday at the church where her father is the pastor, has died. Kelley was pronounced dead at 10:20 a.m. Saturday by medical staff at Bayfront Medical Center, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Although [...]
