Churchgoers in Louisiana somber, turn to their faith after BP fails to plug Gulf oil leak

La. churchgoers somber after BP fails to plug leak

BOOTHVILLE, La. — The reality that the Gulf oil leak could keep flowing for months was setting in for some somber churchgoers in Louisiana.

In Plaquemines Parish near the mouth of the Mississippi River, the Rev. Theodore Turner said Sunday some of his congregants are getting desperate because BP has been unable to stop the leak.

Turner, of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Boothville, says about a third of his congregation is made up of fishermen. He says shrimpers are also getting more anxious as they realize there is less chance they will recover.

At St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Port Sulphur, church member Lyle Stockstill says the community is drawing closer to their faith as the nation’s worst oil spill grows.

(This version CORRECTS name of church to Mount Olive)