>>> COMING UP, FRED de SAM LAZARO ON SAVING LIBERIA'S BROKEN SCHOOLS.

ALSO A NEW FEATURE FILM CALLED "DENIAL" ABOUT AN AMERICAN SCHOLAR WHO HAD TO DEFEND HERSELF IN A BRITISH COURT TO PROVE THE HOLOCAUST HAD BEEN REAL.

AND IN HONOR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND HIS LOVE OF NATURE, MANY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ONCE A YEAR OBSERVE THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS.

COMPANY.

>>> WELCOME, I'M BOB ABERNATHY, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

FAITH-BASED RELIEF GROUPS ARE AMONG THOSE GEARING UP TO HELP VICTIMS OF THIS WEEK'S MASSIVE HURRICANE MATTHEW.

MANY RELIGIOUS AGENCIES ARE SEEKING DONATIONS AND SOME ARE ALREADY ORGANIZING TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH CLEANUP.

AID WORKERS ARE PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HAITI, WHERE THE DESTRUCTION WAS DEVASTATING.

THOUSANDS OF HAITIANS WERE DISPLACED BY THE DEADLY STORM.

FAITH-BASED GROUPS ARE TRYING TO DELIVER EMERGENCY FOOD, WATER, AND MEDICINE, BUT MANY AREAS REMAIN INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE OF BLOCKED ROADS, WASHED OUT BRIDGES, AND MUDSLIDES.

>>> COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT JUENEMANN YULE SANTOS WAS AWARDED THE 2016 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

THE VOTE CAME AS A SURPRISE TO SOME.

JUST DAYS EARLIER, COLOMBIANS REJECTED A PLAN SANTOS HELPED DRAFT THAT WOULD HAVE ENDED 52 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR.

SANTOS, HOWEVER, HAS PROMISED TO CONTINUE TALKS WITH LEFTIST REBELS AND REVIVE THE PEACE PLAN.

THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, WORTH $930,000, WILL BE PRESENTED IN OSLO, NORWAY, ON DECEMBER 10th.

>>> ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS WEEK, HILLARY CLINTON VISITED AN AME CHURCH IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE SHE URGED THE NATION TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS RACISM AND GUN VIOLENCE.

DONALD TRUMP VISITED A NONDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN LAS VEGAS AND ALSO MET WITH A GROUP OF PASTORS.

IN ADVANCE OF THEIR SUNDAY DEBATE, BOTH CANDIDATES RELEASED STATEMENTS ON HUNGER AND POVERTY.

TRUMP SAID HE WOULD ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES BY PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CUTTING TAXES.

CLINTON PROPOSED A NEW GOAL OF CUTTING POVERTY IN HALF OVER TEN YEARS.

IN A VIDEO TO CHRISTIAN LEADERS, SHE PLEDGED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE AND HELP STRUGGLING FARMERS.

MEANWHILE, THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DISCUSSED RELIGION AND QUOTED SCRIPTURE DURING THEIR DEBATE.

TIM KAINE SAID HE TRIES TO PRACTICE HIS CATHOLIC FAITH DEVOUTLY IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE, BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, HE HAS TAKEN ACTIONS THAT DIFFER WITH CHURCH TEACHINGS ON ISSUES INCLUDING THE DEATH PENALTY AND ABORTION.

PENCE, WHO GREW UP CATHOLIC BUT ATTENDS EVANGELICAL CHURCHES, DESCRIBED MAKING A PERSONAL DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST WHILE HE WAS IN COLLEGE.

HE AFFIRMED HIS STRONG OPPOSITION TO ABORTION AND HIS SUPPORT FOR ADOPTION AS AN ALTERNATIVE.

>>> POPE FRANCIS HAD A BUSY WEEK.

ON TUESDAY HE MADE A SURPRISE VISIT TO AMATRICE, THE ITALIAN TOWN DEVASTATED BY A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE THAT KILLED NEARLY 300 PEOPLE.

AS HE TOURED THE RUINS, FRANCIS URGED THE TOWNSPEOPLE TO FACE THE FUTURE WITH COURAGE.

HE ALSO VISITED WITH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, AS WELL AS PEOPLE LIVING IN A CONVALESCENT HOME.

BACK IN ROME, FRANCIS LAUNCHED THE VATICAN'S FIRST EVER GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON FAITH AND SPORTS, SAYING IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KEEP SPORTS HONEST AND PROTECT GAMES LIKE THE OLYMPICS FROM ABUSE.

AND AT AN EVENING PRAYER SERVICE THIS WEEK, FRANCIS MET WITH ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JUSTINWELLJUSTIN WELBY.

THE TWO PLEDGED TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP THE POOR AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

ON THE PAPAL PLANE ON THE WAY BACK FROM HIS TRIP TO AZERBAIJAN LAST WEEK, THE POPE ADVISED U.S. CATHOLICS VOTING IN THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO STUDY THE PROPOSALS OF THE CANDIDATES WELL, PRAY, AND THEN CHOOSE IN CONSCIENCE CONSCIENCE.

FRANCIS ALSO URGED PASTORAL CARE FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, BUT CONDEMNED THE IDEA THAT A PERSON CAN PICK HIS OR HER GENDER.

FRANCIS SAID IT IS, "ONE THING IF A PERSON HAS THIS TENDENCY AND ALSO CHANGES SEX, IT'S ANOTHER THING TO TEACH THIS IN SCHOOL."

>>> HERE IN THE U.S., A GROUP OF LGBT CATHOLICS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS HELD A RALLY IN NEW YORK CITY URGING THE CHURCH TO SHOW MORE COMPASSION TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

ORGANIZERS CALLED THE RALLY A PILGRIMAGE OF MERCY, CITING POPE FRANCIS' PROCLAMATION OF THIS AS A YEAR OF MERCY.

THE GROUP URGED BISHOPS AND CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS TO MAKE A PLACE AT THE TABLE FOR LGBT CATHOLICS.

>>> JACQUES HAMEL, THE FRENCH PRIEST KILLED BY ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS THIS PAST SUMMER, COULD BECOME A SAINT.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AT THE MASS CELEBRATING THE REOPENING OF THE CHURCH WHERE HAMEL WAS MURDERED.

THE FRENCH ARCHDIOCESE OF ROUEN HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN AN INQUIRY INTO THE BEATIFICATION OF HAMEL, ONE OF THE SEVERAL STEPS IN THE CANONIZATION PROCESS.

TYPICALLY THERE IS A FIVE-YEAR WAITING PERIOD REQUIRED AFTER A DEATH OF A PERSON BEFORE THE PROCESS CAN BEGIN.

POPE FRANCIS, HOWEVER, SAID UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES HE WOULD GRANT AN EXEMPTION.

>>> THE BODIES OF FOUR YOUNG CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN MEXICO.

THEY WERE HALF NAKED, OBVIOUSLY TORTURED, WRAPPED IN PLASTIC BAGS, AND LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

THE MEN WERE ALL MEMBERS OF A MISSIONARY GROUP CALLED RAINBOW.

THE MURDERS FOLLOW THE KILLING OF THREE MEXICAN PRIESTS IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

AUTHORITIES BELIEVE DRUG GANGS ARE RESPONSIBLE.

AT LEAST 15 CATHOLIC PRIESTS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN MEXICO IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>>> NOW, A FRED de SAM LAZARO REPORT FROM LIBERIA IN WEST AFRICA, WHERE YEARS OF CIVIL WAR AND THE EBOLA CRISIS HAVE ALL BUT DESTROYED THE COUNTRY'S SCHOOLS, SO THERE'S A SERIOUS EFFORT UNDER WAY TO MEND AND INTENSIFY LIBERIA'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

CAN A PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT, U.S.-BASED COMPANY HELP TURN THINGS AROUND?

>> Reporter: IT'S FRIDAY MORNING AND THE CHILDREN AT THIS PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE SINGING PATRIOTIC SONGS THAT HONOR THEIR COUNTRY'S FOUNDING BY FREED AMERICAN SLAVES.

AND AS THE U.S.-INSPIRED FLAG IS BEING RAISED, SO, TOO, ARE HOPES ABOUT HOW PUBLIC EDUCATION CAN BE QUICKLY AND DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.

THESE STUDENTS ARE PART OF A GRAND EXPERIMENT TO SEE IF A PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT, U.S.-BASED COMPANY CAN TURN THINGS AROUND IN A NATION UTTERLY DESTROYED BY A 14-YEAR-LONG CIVIL WAR AND A RECENT BATTLE WITH EBOLA.

THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA HAS CALLED THE COUNTRY'S EDUCATION SYSTEM A MESS.

WHAT DID SHE MEAN?

CONSIDER THIS STATISTIC, IN 2013 NOT ONE OF 25,000 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES IN THIS COUNTRY MANAGED TO PASS THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA.

THE EXPERIMENT WAS DESIGNED BY EDUCATION MINISTER GEORGE WERNER, WHO TOOK OFFICE 15 MONTHS AGO, HIRED BY THE PRESIDENT, HE SAYS, TO ACT QUICKLY.

>> IF WE STAYED THE COURSE, FOLLOWED THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF DOING THINGS, WE WOULD NOT CATCH UP WITH OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTERPARTS.

>> Reporter: WERNER HAD BEEN IMPRESSED DURING A VISIT TO KENYA WHERE THE U.S. COMPANY BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIES OPERATES MORE THAN 350 PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

IN LIBERIA WHERE ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS LESS THAN $500, WERNER KNEW MOST FAMILIES COULD NOT AFFORD THE MONTHLY $6 FEE THAT BRIDGE CHARGES PER CHILD IN THOSE OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT HE HAD AN IDEA.

>> WHAT IF WE HAD A HYBRID OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE?

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOES BETTER THAN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

GOVERNMENT CAN COME UP WITH THE POLICIES, BUT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND SERVICE DELIVERY OFTEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOES BETTER THAN THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: WERNER HIRED SEVEN PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN A TOTAL OF 94 PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

BRIDGE, THE ONLY FOR-PROFIT, RUNS 24 OF THEM.

JOSH NATHAN IS THE COMPANY'S ACADEMIC DIRECTOR.

>> WHAT THE GOVERNMENTLIBERIA, I THINK, IS COURAGEOUS.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS LOOK AROUND, LOOK INSIDE LIBERIA AND LOOK OUTSIDE LIBERIA AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE SUCCEEDING IN PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO PAY THE COMPANIES DIRECTLY SO EDUCATION REMAINS FREE FOR FAMILIES.

THE COMPANIES ALSO PROVIDE UNIFORMS CHRKS ARE S UNIFORMS, WHICH ARE REQUIRED AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WHOSE COSTS KEEP MANY FROM ATTENDING.

WHEN WE VISITED THE BRIDGE SCHOOL IN KENDAJA, THE SEMESTER WAS ONLY TWO WEEKS UNDER WAY AND MANY OF THE UNIFORMS HAD NOT YET ARRIVED.

STILL, PRINCIPAL MAGDALENE BROWN SAID THE IMPROVEMENTS WERE ALREADY VERY APPARENT.

FOR ONE, THERE'S A MUCH LONGER SCHOOL DAY.

LAST YEAR SCHOOL STARTED AT 8:30 AND ENDED FOUR HOURS LATER.

>> BRIDGE HAS US COME TO SCHOOL MUCH EARLIER, LIKE WE COME AT 7:30, AND THEN BRIDGE HAS US STAY ON UNTIL 3:30 EVERY DAY.

AND THAT MEANS THE CHILDREN WILL LEARN BETTER.

>> Reporter: EVEN THE STUDENTS SEEM TO LIKE IT MORE, LIKE 15-YEAR-OLD MERCY FREEMAN.

>> WE COME TO SCHOOL ON TIME, WE SIT IN CLASS.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL ACTUALLY RUNS LIKE A SCHOOL?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE ALSO NEW RULES LIKE NO MORE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

AND ALONG WITH NEW TEXTBOOKS, EVERY TEACHER IS GIVEN A COMPUTER TABLET AND IS REQUIRED TO STICK TO THE PRE-LOADED LESSON PLANS.

CRITICS OF THIS SO-CALLED SCHOOL IN A BOX APPROACH SAY IT ENCOURAGES ROBOTIC TEACHING AND HAS ALLOWED BRIDGE IN OTHER COUNTRIES TO HIRE CHEAPER, LESS QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS.

THAT'S LESS OF AN ISSUE IN LIBERIA, WHERE BRIDGE SCHOOLS RETRAIN EXISTING TEACHERS AND WHERE MANY HAD THEIR OWN EDUCATION DISRUPTED BY THE CIVIL WAR.

'tj÷ THIS BUILDING TEACHERS SEEMED GRATEFUL FOR THE GUIDANCE.

AMOS JUMANINE HAS TAUGHT FOR SEVEN YEARS, BUT SAYS HE WAS A LATE BLOOMER.

>> I WAS 17 YEARS WHEN I STARTED ABCs.

>> Reporter: YOU WENT TO KINDERGARTEN LEARNING YOUR ABCs WHEN YOU WERE 17.

>> YEAH, 17.

17.

>> Reporter: HE'S HOPEFUL THE NEW PARTNERSHIP WILL BE GOOD FOR THE STUDENTS, BUT HE IS ADAMANT THAT ONE THING NEEDS TO CHANGE, TEACHERS, HE SAYS, NEED TO BE PAID MORE MONEY, ESPECIALLY IF THEY MUST WORK LONGER HOURS.

>> I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY FOOD FOR MYSELF.

>> Reporter: FINANCIALLY IT'S VERY DIFFICULT?

>> YES, FINANCIALLY.

>> Reporter: VERY DIFFICULT?

>> VERY DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: TEACHERS EARN ABOUT $100 A MONTH AND MANY SAY THEY TAKE SECOND JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THAT CONTRIBUTES TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IN LIBERIA'S SCHOOLS, CHRONIC TEACHER ABSENTEEISM.

NOT ONLY ARE TEACHERS ROUTINELY ABSENT, MANY REALLY NEVER EXISTED, JUST THEIR NAMES ON PAYCHECKS ISSUED BY THE SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION MINISTER WERNER SAYS HE'S PURGED ABOUT 1,300 SO-CALLED GHOST TEACHERS, SAVING $2 MILLION THAT WAS BEING SIPHONED AWAY IN FRAUD.

JOSH NATHAN SAYS THE BRIDGE SCHOOLS USE SOFTWARE IN THE TEACHERS' TABLETS TO TRACK THEIR DAILY ATTENDANCE.

>> WE THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO CREATING ACCOUNTABILITY AND BEING ABLE TO WATCH EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHERE ARE OUR TEACHERS, ARE THEY WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

>> Reporter: FOR THEIR PART, THE TEACHERS UNION IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

IT POINTS OUT THE NEW SCHOOLS HAVE SMALLER CLASS SIZE, AROUND 45 TO 55 PUPILS AND RECEIVE ABOUT $10 TO $15 MORE PER STUDENT THAN REGULAR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

UNION LEADERS SAY THEIR TEACHERS COULD GET EVEN BETTER OUTCOMES THAN BRIDGE IF THEY WERE GIVEN THAT EXTRA MONEY AND SMALLER CLASSES.

IF YOU HAD THE RIGHT CONDITIONS AND BETTER SALARY, A LOT OF THE PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: AND WHEN YOU ARGUED THIS, WHAT WERE YOU TOLD?

>> THE MINISTRY, THEY ARE NOT EVEN LISTENING TO THE TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: MARY MULBAH BLAMES CORRUPTION AT THE MINISTRY FOR HIRING THOSE COAST TEACHERS AND ALLEGES THE MINISTRY IS USING PURGES TO HIRE UNION ACTIVISTS.

IMMANUEL MORRIS, WHO WAS IN A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TO TRAIN AND HIRE NEW TEACHERS, SAYS HIS NAME WAS DELETED.

ARE YOU A GHOST?

>> I'M NOT A GHOST AND I CAN PROVE THAT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE CALLING YOU A GHOST AND YOU'RE NOT A GHOST.

>> I'M NOT A GHOST.

>> Reporter: UNION LEADERS QUESTION WHETHER SUCH PROGRAMS COULD BE SCALED UP TO SERVE THE 2,750 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

MINISTER WERNER KNOWS THERE ARE RISKS, BUT SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES.

>> IT'S NOT A PANACEA, AND IT MAY JUST NOT WORK, BUT WE SHOULD NOT JUST FOLD OUR ARMS AND DO NOTHING.

>> Reporter: 61-YEAR-OLD MARIE JAYNES COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

SHE HERSELF HAD TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL IN FOURTH GRADE.

SHE NOW SELLS WATER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SUPPORT HER THREE GRANDCHILDREN, THEIR PARENTS KILLED IN THE CIVIL WAR.

JAYNES IS CONVINCED THE NEW SCHOOL WILL HELP HER GRANDCHILDREN LIVE A BETTER LIFE THAN SHE'S HAD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR CHILDREN'S LIVES WILL BE WHEN THEY BECOME 18 COMPARED TO YOURS?

>> WHAT I HOPE FOR THEM IS TO GO FAR IN SCHOOL, FOR THEM TO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST OF THREE GENERATIONS IN HER FAMILY THAT MIGHT ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE OF AT LEAST A PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION.

FOR "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," THIS IS FRED de SAM LAZARO IN KENDAJA, LIBERIA.

>>> NOW, DENYING THE HOLOCAUST.

DESPITE THE NAZI MASSACRE OF 6 MILLION JEWS, THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO CLAIM THE HOLOCAUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THERE IS A NEW FEATURE FILM OUT CALLED "DENIAL."

IT'S ABOUT HOW HOLOCAUST SCHOLAR DEBORAH LIPSTADT, AN AUTHOR AND PROFESSOR AT EMORY UNIVERSITY, WAS SUED FOR LIBEL BY DAVID IRVING, AN ENGLISH HOLOCAUST DENIER.

LIPSTADT'S LEGAL TEAM HAD TO PROVE IN A BRITISH COURT THAT WHAT SHE WROTE ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST WAS TRUE.

>> YOU CAN HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST, BUT I WON'T MEET WITH ANYONE WHO SAYS THE HOLOCAUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> PROFESSOR LIPSTADT, I AM THAT DAVID IRVING, AND I'VE GOT $1,000 TO GIVE ANYONE WHO CAN SHOW ME A DOCUMENT THAT PROVES THE HOLOCAUST.

>> I WILL NOT DEBATE YOU, NOT HERE, NOT NOW.

>> BECAUSE YOU CAN'T.

>> IN 1993 I PUBLISHED A BOOK "DENYING THE HOLOCAUST: THE GROWING ASSAULT ON TRUTH AND MEMORY," IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN WHO DENIERS WERE AND THEIR METHOD, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOTIVATED BY ANTI-SEMITISM AND ALSO RACISM WITH ANTI-SEMITISM.

IN THE BOOK I DEVOTED A COUPLE PARAGRAPHS TO A MAN NAMED DAVID IRVING.

HE HAD BECOME A HOLOCAUST DENIER IN THE '80s.

>> I SAID TO YOU QUITE TASTELESSLY THAT MORE WOMEN DIED ON THE BACK SEAT OF SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY'S CAR THAN EVER DIED IN THE GAS CHAMBER AT AUSCHWITZ.

>> HE WEARS BLINDERS AND TWISTS THE DOCUMENTS.

UNLIKE OTHER DENIERS WHO PARROTED WHAT OTHERS SAID, HE CREATED SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS.

HE KNEW THE DOCUMENTS AND KNEW HOW HE WAS LYING, HE WOULD GO BACK TO THE SOURCE AND TWIST THEM.

DAVID IRVING SUED ME FOR LIBEL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

I WAS SUBJECT TO THEIR LAWS.

>> WAIT, I HAVE TO PROVE WHAT I SAID WAS TRUE?

>> CORRECT.

>> I'M THE INNOCENT PARTY.

IT'S AGAINST NATURAL JUSTICE.

IN THE U.S.

THERE'S A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.

>> YEAH, NOT IN THE UK.

>> IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT THING FOR ME TO KEEP QUIET.

I DIDN'T GIVE TESTIMONY DURING THE TRIAL, BECAUSE I WAS BEING SUED FOR WHAT I WROTE IN MY BOOK, AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD ADD TO THAT.

THE LAWYERS SAID, IT'S YOUR BOOK THAT SPEAKS FOR YOU AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DEFEND.

>> EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY, YOU'VE SAID IN YOUR BOOK.

OUR TASK IS TO STARVE IRVING AND PUTTING YOU IN A WITNESS BOX WOULD FEED HIM.

>> THIS JUDGE ISSUED WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED, DESCRIBED IN BRITISH LEGAL HISTORY, AS ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING LIBEL RULINGS EVER.

HE HAD ONE LITTLE PARAGRAPH, IRVING IS A DECENT MILITARY HISTORIAN AND AFTER THAT HE JUST DECIMATED ANY OF HIS ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.

THE JUDGE IN HIS JUDGMENT SAID THAT I'M PARAPHRASING HERE, BUT NO THINKING PERSON COULD QUESTION THE EXISTENCE OF GAS CHAMBERS.

WE DIDN'T WANT THE HOLOCAUST TO BE ON TRIAL.

WE WERE PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON IRVING BY LOOKING AT HIS WORKS AND SAYING WHAT DEBORAH LIPSTADT SAID ABOUT HIM AND WROTE ABOUT HIM IS TRUE.

>> WHATEVER THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE BECOME DENIERS, THEY OFTEN HAVE AN AGENDA WHICH THEY WON'T ADMIT TO.

>> I THINK HOLOCAUST DENIAL, HARD CORE DENIAL, THERE WERE NO GAS CHAMBERS, HITLER DIDN'T PLAN TO KILL THE JEWS, IN THE WEST, THAT KIND OF HOLOCAUST DENIAL WAS REALLY GIVEN A VERY SEVERE BLOW IN PART BY MY TRIAL.

WE SHOWED THAT THEIR ARGUMENTS WERE BASED ON LIES AND FALSE CASES AND CHANGES OF DOCUMENTS.

WHERE HOLOCAUST DENIAL IS STILL A GROWTH INDUSTRY IS IN CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE ARAB/MUSLIM WORLD.

IRAN IS A VERY ACTIVE HOLOCAUST DENIER, EVEN THOUGH IT DENIES IT'S A DENIER.

I THINK THE DANGERS OF HOLOCAUST DENIAL ARE THE DANGERS OF DENYING TRUTH.

THE ARMENIAN SEN SIDE DENIAL, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT TO DENY THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE AND SAY IT WAS JUST A CIVIL WAR.

I THINK WE FIGHT AGAINST PEOPLE WHO WOULD PERVERT THE TRUTH IS A BROADER FIGHT, EXTENDS WAY BEYOND THE HOLOCAUST AND IT'S VERY -- IT'S OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME.

FACTS ARE FACTS.

THERE ARE NOT TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY, AND THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT CAN'T BE CONTESTED, BUT OPINIONS THAT ARE BASED IN LIES ARE NOT OPINIONS.

>>> ON OUR CALENDAR THIS WEEK, THE JEWISH HIGH HOLIDAYS CONCLUDE WITH YOM KIPPUR, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT.

JEWS TRADITIONALLY OBSERVE THE DAY BY FASTING AND REFRAINING FROM WORK.

THEY ATTEND SYNAGOGUE SERVICES AND REFLECT ON THEIR SINS OF THE PAST YEAR.

>>> THIS WEEK MANY CHRISTIANS OF MANY DENOMINATIONS OBSERVED THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS.

THE DAY RECALLS THE LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI IN THE 13th CENTURY WITH HIS DEVOTION TO PRAYER, SUFFERING, AND LOVE FOR EVERY PART OF CREATION.

OVER THE CENTURIES, IN HONOR OF SAINT FRANCIS, MANY CHURCHES HAVE COME TO OBSERVE A SPECIAL DAY FOR THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS.

>> AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW, FRANCIS CAME FROM A FAIRLY PROSPEROUS MERCHANT FAMILY IN ASSISI IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 13th CENTURY.

HE WAS KNOWN TO BE THE PARTY MAN OF ASSISI.

HE WAS THE LEADER OF HIS YOUTH GROUP, IF YOU WILL, AND THEY FREQUENTED ALL KINDS OF DRINKING SOCIETIES AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

ASSISI WAS GOING THROUGH ITS BIRTH AS A SELF GOVERNING CITY AND FRANCIS AS A YOUNG MAN GOT PULLED INTO THE EXPERIENCE OF WARFARE, AND HE ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF MILITARY EXPEDITIONS.

HE WAS CAPTURED IN 1202 AND THROWN IN PRISON FOR A FULL YEAR, WHICH IS A CONDITION THAT KIND OF DEBILITATED HIM.

HE REALIZES THAT WAR IS EMPTY, IT'S NOT THE WAY TO LIVE.

THE STORIES ABOUT FRANCIS TELL US THAT HE HAS A KIND OF A VISION IN WHICH CHRIST APPEARS TO HIM.

WHY ARE YOU SERVING THE SERVANT RATHER THAN THE MASTER, MEANING CHRIST.

HE BREAKS WITH HIS FATHER, DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE MATERIAL WORLD OF HIS OWN FATHER.

HE DISOWNED THAT PATRIMONY AND SET OFF TO THE COUNTRYSIDE DWELLING IN CAVES AND HOVELS, TO FIND PLACES OF REFLECTION AND PRAYER.

FRANCIS BEGAN TO ATTRACT TO HIMSELF OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE PEOPLE WHO WERE INTERESTED IN HIS CONVERSION EXPERIENCE.

THEY HAD SEEN THE RATHER REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION THAT OCCURRED IN THIS MAN WHO WAS THE FORMER BONVIVANT OF ASSISI, NOW HE'S BASICALLY DRESSED IN A PAUPER'S CLOTH AND WANDERING AROUND AND MINISTERING TO LEPERS, AND THIS IS REALLY THE BEGINNING OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER.

THE CELEBRATION OF THE ANIMALS, AND FRANCIS' ASSOCIATION WITH THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS, IS ONE THAT ELUDES ALL OF US.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT TYPE OF RITUAL BEGAN.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOD IS SMILING.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY, LOVELY DAY TO BLESS ANIMALS.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL IS TO SEE HOW THIS RITUAL OF THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS HAS CAUGHT FIRE WITH OTHER FAITH TRADITIONS.

>> GRACIOUS GOD YOUR SERVANT FRANCIS WHO CALLED EACH CREATURE OF AIR, SEA, AND LAND BROTHER OR SISTER, REMINDS US OF YOUR GREAT LOVE FOR ALL CREATION.

>> PEOPLE HAVE ALL KINDS OF STUFF WITH THEM, SNAILS, SNAKES, DOGS, CATS, BIRDS, HAMSTERS, YOU NAME IT.

YOU JUST DON'T TAKE A CHANCE ON PUTTING YOUR HAND INTO A CARDBOARD BOX.

YOU'RE NOT SURE WHAT'S IN THERE, RIGHT?

PEOPLE COME UP, WE USUALLY SING A HYMN TOGETHER, AND THERE WOULD BE A PRAYER OF BLESSING.

THEN WE SPRINKLE THE ANIMALS WITH HOLY WATER.

WE USUALLY GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE MEDAL WHERE IT SAYS "ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PROTECT MY PET."

WE ASSOCIATE FRANCIS WITH ANIMALS BECAUSE OF THE STORIES.

ONE OF THE FIRST ACCOUNTS IS A STORY OF HIM PREACHING TO THE FAMOUS STORY OF HIM PREACHING TO THE BIRDS, AND WE HAVE MANY STORIES ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP AND ASSOCIATION WITH ANIMALS.

THE WOLF OF GUBBIO STORY IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS OF ALL.

FRANCIS WENT INTO THE CITY, WAS TOLD ABOUT THIS RAVENOUS WOLF, HE TAKES HIM BY THE PAW, KIND OF SHAKING HIS HAND, AND HE GETS THE WOLF TO PROMISE NOT TO ATTACK THE CITIZENS OF GUBBIO.

THAT'S ON THE POPULAR LEVEL AND WORKS PERFECTLY FINE ON THAT LEVEL, BUT THERE'S ALSO A DEEPER MEANING TO IT.

I THINK PEOPLE SEE THE IN THE STORY OF FRANCIS AND THE ANIMALS SOMETHING THAT'S JUST SO RIGHT.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE THEOLOGICAL VISION OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, BUT SO MANY OF US HAVE PETS.

PETS WHO ARE ACTUALLY MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY, BECOME MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY.

WE WANT THEM TO BE KIND OF INCLUDED IN THE BLESSINGS OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

WE ALL ARE IN THIS IN SOME GREAT SACRED FRATERNITY, BOUND TO ONE ANOTHER INEXTRICABLY AND FOREVER.

>> THIS IS NOT TO EAT.

NO, NO.

>> WE HEAR ALL THESE STORIES ABOUT ST. FRANCIS PREACHING TO BIRDS AND TALKING TO THE WOLF AND ALL.

THAT'S QUITE POSSIBLE, I WASN'T AROUND, I DON'T KNOW, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND THAT ALL OF NATURE SPOKE TO FRANCIS.

THE MORE THAT WE LEARN TO REVERENCE ALL OF CREATION, WE MIGHT LEARN TO REVERENCE AND CHERISH ONE ANOTHER BETTER.

AND I MEAN, IF THIS IS THE WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN IT, SO BE IT.

LET'S DO IT.

>> THAT'S FOR YOU, BABY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK FRANCIS WOULD APPROVE.

I THINK.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNATHY.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK, WATCH US ANY TIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS.

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JOIN US AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.

AS WE LEAVE YOU, SCENES FROM POPE FRANCIS' TRIP TO AZERBAIJAN.PANY.

>>