LYNCHBURG, Virginia (AP):
EVANGELIST FRANKLIN Graham told an audience that Hurricane Katrina could lead to a spiritual rebirth of what he called a sinful New Orleans.
"There's been satanic worship. There's been sexual perversion," Graham said Monday in an appearance at Liberty University. "God is going to use that storm to bring revival. God has a plan. God has a purpose."
Graham's comments, reported by The News & Advance of Lynchburg, were made at Thomas Road Baptist Church's Super Conference 2005 at Liberty. Both the church and the university were founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
"The good news is that God loves sinners. Jesus Christ is coming back and he's alive," said Graham, son and designated successor of the Rev. Billy Graham.
500 VOLUNTEERS
Graham's Samaritan's Purse organisation has about 500 volunteers helping put new roofs on houses and clean mud and debris out of homes in Mississippi and Louisiana.
The organisation, however, has been the target of criticism because gift bags distributed to displaced children include Christian tracts and a stuffed lamb that plays Jesus Loves You.
Graham did not immediately return a telephone message left yesterday by The Associated Press.
On Sunday, New Orleans' historic St. Louis Cathedral held its first Sunday Mass since the hurricane, and Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes suggested the city would rebuild as a community with a stronger moral thread, free of racial tension and rampant self-indulgence. But the Roman Catholic leader reassured the congregation that God did not cause the hurricane to punish evil-doers.
