>>> COMING UP, KIM LAWTON LOOKS AT CATHOLIC VOTERS.

THEY WERE EVENLY DIVIDED IN 2012.

WHAT ISSUES ARE THEY STRESSING NOW AND HOW ARE THE CAMPAIGNS REACHING OUT TO THEM?

>>> ALSO, FRED DE SAM LAZARO ON A LIBERIAN-BORN AMERICAN WHO RETURNS TO CREATE JOBS AND HELP WOMEN OVERCOME THEIR DEEP POVERTY.S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.

>>> WELCOME, I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

AFTER ANOTHER ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE THIS WEEK, THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES APPEARED TOGETHER THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE ANNUAL AL SMITH DINNER HOSTED BY CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK.

THE DINNER RAISES MONEY FOR CHILDREN'S CHARITIES.

IT'S ORGANIZED, THE CHURCH SAYS, IN A SPIRIT OF COLLEGIALITY AND GOOD HUMOR.

TRADITIONALLY, THE CANDIDATES TRADE JOKES.

THIS YEAR, THE HUMOR WAS OFTEN CUTTING.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT HILLARY IS SITTING DOWN AND SPEAKING TO MAJOR CORPORATE LEADERS AND NOT GETTING PAID FOR IT.

>> GETTING THROUGH THESE THREE DEBATES WITH DONALD HAS TO COUNT AS A MIRACLE.

>> THE JOKES SOMETIMES VEERED INTO PERSONAL DIGS.

TRUMP WAS BOOED SEVERAL TIMES FOR SOME OF HIS REMARKS.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S DEBATE ALSO FEATURED A LOT OF SPARRING.

TRUMP RAISED EYEBROWS WHEN HE INDICATED HE MAY NOT ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS ON NOVEMBER 8th.

HE LATER SAID HE'D ACCEPT THE RESULTS IF HE WINS.

THE TWO CANDIDATES DISAGREED STRONGLY OVER ABORTION.

TRUMP REPEATED HIS INTENTION TO RESTRICT ABORTION RIGHTS.

>> THAT'LL HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY, IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE I AM PUTTING PRO-LIFE JUS DISSTICES ON THE COURT.

>> I DO NOT THINK THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE STEPPING IN.

>> ABORTION IS A KEY ISSUE FOR THE TWO LARGEST FAITH-BASED CONSTITUENCIES.

THE MAJORITY OF EVANGELICALS DO NOT BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL IN MOST CASES, WHILE CATHOLICS ARE ABOUT EVENLY SPLIT.

A NEW PUBLIC RELIGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE POLL OUT THIS WEEK FOUND THAT MOST AMERICANS -- 61% -- SAY PERSONAL IMMORALITY DOES NOT DISQUALIFY PUBLIC OFFICIALS FROM CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES ETHICALLY.

FIVE YEARS AGO, ONLY 44% AGREED.

YA 0 WR -- THE MOST DRAMATIC CHANGE WAS AMONG WHITE EVANGELICALS.

MORE THAN 70% OF THEM SAY PERSONAL IMMORALITY IS NOT DISQUALIFYING FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

IN 2011, ONLY A THIRD SAID THAT.

THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT A STRONG MAJORITY OF WHITE EVANGELICAL LIKELY VOTERS SUPPORT TRUMP.

CATHOLICS OVERALL ARE FAVORING CLINTON BY A SIGNIFICANT MARGIN, ALTHOUGH WHITE CATHOLICS ARE CURRENTLY EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN TRUMP AND CLINTON.

TODAY, IN OUR CONTINUING ELECTION COVERAGE, KIM LAWTON LOOKS AT CATHOLIC VOTERS, THE DIVISIONS AMONG THEM, THE ISSUES THEY ARE STRESSING AND THE EFFORTS OF THE CAMPAIGNS TO APPEAL TO THEM.

>> ON A RECENT SUNDAY MORNING AT ST. ANN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, VOLUNTEERS SET UP A NONPARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION TABLE.

MASS-GOERS WERE URGED TO MAKE SURE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN NOVEMBER.

MANY HERE SEE VOTING AS A MORAL OBLIGATION.

>> I JUST THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE VOTING.

IF YOU'RE UNHAPPY WITH THE SITUATION, THAT'S YOUR TIME TO VOTE, AND IT STARTS AT THE GRASSROOTS.

>> CATHOLICS HAVE BEEN SPLIT IN RECENT ELECTIONS.

AND WITH ROUGHLY 70 MILLION CATHOLICS IN THE U.S., THAT'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL VOTES UP FOR GRABS.

>> CATHOLICS ARE THE PERENNIAL SWING VOTERS IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND SO WHICHEVER WAY CATHOLICS GO, THAT'S USUALLY THE WAY THE PRESIDENCY GOES.

I'D EXPECT THAT TO BE TRUE THIS ELECTION TOO.

>> IN 2012, CATHOLICS MADE UP A QUARTER OF THE ELECTORATE, AND THEY WERE ALMOST EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN BARACK OBAMA AND MITT ROMNEY.

BUT WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN BY RACE, ABOUT 60% OF WHITE CATHOLICS VOTED FOR ROMNEY WHILE 75% OF LATINO CATHOLICS VOTED FOR OBAMA.

IN THE LAST SEVERAL ELECTIONS, CATHOLICS WHO ATTEND MASS REGULARLY TENDED TO VOTE MORE REPUBLICAN.

WHILE THOSE FREQUENTLY DESCRIBED AS CULTURAL CATHOLICS VOTED MORE DEMOCRATIC.

STEPHEN SCHNECK DIRECTS THE INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH AND CATHOLIC STUDIES AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA.

>> THE POLITICAL POLARIZATION THAT WE ALL KNOW ABOUT BETWEEN RED STATES AND BLUE STATES, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, CONSERVATIVES AND PROGRESSIVES, THAT AFFECTS CATHOLICS IN THE PEWS AS WELL.

>> I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD.

>> THE CHURCH ITSELF HAS STRESSED A SERIES OF ISSUES THAT DON'T FIT NEATLY WITH EITHER PARTY'S PLATFORM.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY CHAD PECKNOLD SAYS THERE ARE CERTAIN NON-NEGOTIABLES THAT REVOLVE AROUND PROMOTING HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD.

>> WE DON'T SUPPORT DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

WHAT WE DO IS PROMOTE A PRINCIPLE, AND THE PRINCIPLE OF A PERSON AND THE PRINCIPLE OF THE CARE FOR THE PERSON, AND THAT INCLUDES THE UNBORN, THAT INCLUDES THE POOR AND THAT INCLUDES THE STRANGER WHO COMES WITHIN OUR GATES, THE IMMIGRANT.

>> WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT LIFE, IT ALSO TOUCHES ON THE IMMIGRATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT AND WOMEN ISSUES, AS WELL AS ALSO REFUGEE ISSUES.

TO ME, MY HEART, EVERYTHING IS ACTUALLY INTERCONNECTED.

>> POPE FRANCIS UPHOLDS CHURCH TEACHING ON SOCIAL ISSUES SUCH AS ABORTION AND TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE, BUT HE HAS ALSO STRESSED THE MORAL DIMENSION OF A BROAD ARRAY OF ISSUES FROM IMMIGRATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

HE HASN'T BEEN SPECIFIC ABOUT HOW THAT GETS WORKED OUT IN THE POLITICAL ARENA.

FOR MANY CATHOLICS, THE KEY QUESTION IS HOW MUCH PRIORITY TO GIVE THE ISSUE OF ABORTION.

MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, PRESIDENT OF THE ADVOCACY GROUP THE SUSAN B. ANTHONY LIST, SAYS WHILE MANY ISSUES MATTER, ABORTION SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO LIFE, YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO IMMIGRATE.

WHEN THAT FIRST DIGNITY IS DENIED, NO OTHER DIGNITY IS POSSIBLE.

SO YES, OF COURSE, ALL OF THOSE ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT.

BUT THE FOUNDATIONAL ISSUE, AND THE CHURCH AGREES WITH THIS, IS THE RIGHT TO LIFE.

>> DANNENFELSER IS HEADING DONALD TRUMP'S PROLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL BECAUSE OF HIS PROMISES ON THAT ISSUE.

>> HE WENT FROM BEING FRANKLY MY LAST CHOICE TO MY FIRST CHOICE, AND WHY IS THAT?

IT'S BECAUSE OF HIS POLICY COMMITMENTS.

HIS CONSISTENT RESTATEMENT OF THOSE.

>> BECAUSE OF HIS PREVIOUS SUPPORT FOR ABORTION RIGHTS, SOME CATHOLICS DON'T FULLY TRUST TRUMP'S PROMISES.

IN MARCH, A GROUP OF PROMINENT CONSERVATIVE CATHOLIC ACADEMICS ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING TRUMP QUOTE, MANIFESTLY UNFIT TO BE PRESIDENT.

MEANWHILE, MANY CATHOLICS HAVE ALSO BEEN DISAPPOINTED BY DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM KAINE'S POSITION.

KAINE FOLLOWS MANY FELLOW CATHOLIC DEMOCRATS IN ASSERTING THAT HE IS PERSONALLY PRO-LIFE, BUT HE SUPPORTS ABORTION RIGHTS.

>> IF YOU SAID, I'M PERSONALLY OPPOSED TO RACISM BUT I POLITICALLY SUPPORT IT, EVERYONE WOULD THROW THEIR HANDS UP.

BUT PERSONALLY OPPOSED, POLITICALLY SUPPORTIVE, IS THE TICKET TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ADVANCEMENT, AND SO TIM KAINE HAS DECIDED THAT THAT'S THE PRICE HE'S WILLING TO PAY.

BUT I THINK THAT'S A SACRIFICE OF HIS FAITH AND A CERTAIN BETRAYAL OF HIS CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES.

>> FOR SOME, THE PRO-LIFE ISSUE IS BROADER AND MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT'S OFTEN PORTRAYED.

>> I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE COULD SAY, "WELL, NO ABORTION, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU HEALTHCARE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HELP YOU WITH HOUSING OR FOOD.

THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY LIVING.

>> WITHIN THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, THERE ARE STRIKINGLY DIVERSE VIEWS ON THE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED IN THE PURSUIT OF THE COMMON GOOD.

>> THERE ARE VERY SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE CATHOLICS, BUT I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE SOCIALLY PROGRESSIVE, WHO FOLLOW THE CHURCH'S SOCIAL JUSTICE TEACHING, WHICH SAYS THAT WE SHOULD RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE AND THAT WE SHOULD WORK FOR THE EQUALITY OF ALL PEOPLE.

>> IT'S EASY TO TELL WHICH CANDIDATE IS GOING TO TREAT FOLKS WITH THE BASIC DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT CATHOLICISM TEACHES.

I THINK THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE HAS DEEP DISRESPECT FOR WOMEN, FOR LGBT PEOPLE, FOR IMMIGRANTS, MEXICANS, FOLKS ALL ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, AND I THINK CATHOLIC VOTERS ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT SORT OF THING INTO ACCOUNT.

>> FOR THE BISHOPS AND MANY LAY CATHOLICS, THE ISSUE OF DEFENDING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IS KEY THIS ELECTION.

THE BISHOPS' PRESIDENT, ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH KURTZ, RELEASED A VIDEO.

>> WE ALSO EXPECT PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO LIVE THEIR FAITH WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OF THE STATE.

WHEN FAITH COMMUNITIES LOSE THIS RIGHT, THE VERY IDEA OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN IS LOST.

>> SOME ACCUSED THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN OF ANTI-CATHOLIC BIAS AFTER A SERIES OF HACKED EMAILS WERE LEAKED SHOWING TOP CLINTON ADVISORS APPEARING TO DISPARAGE CONSERVATIVE CATHOLICS.

THE CAMPAIGN DENIED ANY BIAS.

AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, THE STUDENT BODY REFLECTS THE DEEP POLITICAL DIVISIONS AMONG CATHOLICS RIGHT NOW.

SOME SUPPORT TRUMP.

>> AS A CATHOLIC, I REALLY APPRECIATE SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO STAND FOR LIFE, AND THIS IS SOMETHING HE HAS PLEDGED TO DO, SO THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME IS A CANDIDATE THAT IS IN LINE WITH CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, AND I FEEL HILLARY CLINTON IS THAT CANDIDATE.

BECAUSE SHE SUPPORTS UNIONS, SHE SUPPORTS IMMIGRATION REFORM AND SHE SUPPORTS PAID MATERNITY AND FAMILY LEAVE AND THING LIKE THAT THAT ARE ALL IN LINE WITH CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING.

>> I AM ACTUALLY DECIDED TO VOTE THIRD PARTY.

I'M GOING TO BE VOTING FOR EVAN McMULLEN, INDEPENDENT.

>> I'M VERY PRO-LIFE, AND SO I WANT TO SIDE REPUBLICAN, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE THAT WILL DEFEND THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT ON THE OPPOSITE, I'M ALSO HISPANIC, COMING FROM IMMIGRANT PARENTS, AND SO I DO BELIEVE WE NEED IMMIGRATION REFORM, AND I DON'T BELIEVE BUILDING A WALL IS THE WAY TO DO THAT.

SO I'M VERY CONFLICTED.

>> INDEED, MANY CATHOLICS, LIKE MANY MESHES -- AMERICANS OVERALL SAY THEY'RE UNHAPPY WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

>> I THINK THAT A GOOD NUMBER OF US FIND OURSELVES A LITTLE BIT AT SEA GIVEN THE UGLINESS, REALLY, OF THIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

WHAT'S A CATHOLIC TO DO, WHAT'S A CHRISTIAN TO DO?

>> RECENTLY ON THE PAPAL PLANE, A REPORTER ASKED POPE FRANCIS WHAT ADVICE HE WOULD GIVE US CATHOLICS WRESTLING OVER HOW TO VOTE.

HE REPLIED, QUOTE, STUDY THE PROPOSALS WELL, PRAY, AND CHOOSE IN CONSCIENCE.

WHEN SCHNECK GETS DISCOURAGED, HE SAYS HE TRIES TO REMEMBER THE WORDS OF FRANCIS DURING HIS VISIT TO THE US LAST YEAR.

>> I REITERATE THE MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS THAT THIS WORLD IS NOT A PERFECT PLACE.

IT'S YOUR JOB NEVERTHELESS TO ENGAGE IT.

THE IMPERATIVE REALLY IS ON US TO STAND UP, TO BE FAITHFUL CITIZENS, TO BRING OUR VALUES INTO THE PUBLIC SQUARE, TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

>> AND HOW MILLIONS OF CATHOLICS TRY TO DO THAT WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE OUTCOME THIS ELECTION DAY.

I'M KIM LAWTON IN WASHINGTON.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE RELEASED A NEW REPORT DOCUMENTING A FLOOD OF ANTI-SEMITIC POSTS ON TWITTER THIS ELECTION SEASON, MUCH OF IT TARGETING JEWISH JOURNALISTS.

THE ADL STUDIED ALMOST 20,000 ANTI-JEWISH TWEETS DIRECTED AT SOME 800 JOURNALISTS.

THE GROUP SAID THE TREND WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING SEEN BEFORE IN MODERN POLITICS.

OVERALL, ACCORDING TO THE ADL, 2.6 MILLION ANTI-SEMITIC TWEETS WERE POSTED ON TWITTER BETWEEN AUGUST 2015 AND JULY 2016.

>>> THE JESUITS, THE WORLD'S SINGLE LARGEST ROMAN CATHOLIC ORDER, HAVE ELECTED A NEW LEADER.

AND LIKE POPE FRANCIS, HE'S FROM LATIN AMERICA.

REVEREND ARTURO SOSA IS 67 YEARS OLD AND FROM VENEZUELA.

HE WILL LEAD NEARLY 17,000 JESUITS WORLDWIDE.

>>> IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE, POPE FRANCIS CANONIZED SEVEN NEW SAINTS.

AMONG THEM WAS AN ARGENTINE PRIEST WHO MINISTERED TO THE POOR AND A 14-YEAR-OLD MEXICAN BOY MARTYRED FOR REFUSING TO RENOUNCE HIS FAITH.

IN ALL, TWO MARTYRS, FOUR PRIESTS AND ONE NUN WERE MADE SAINTS.

AN ESTIMATED 80,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE MASS.

>>> SEVERAL SENIOR CARDINALS IN ROME ARE UPSET ABOUT PLANS TO OPEN A NEW McDONALD'S RESTAURANT AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE VATICAN AND ST. PETER'S BASILICA.

THE FAST FOOD OUTLET, OR McVATICAN AS SOME HAVE CALLED IT, WOULD BE BUILT IN A CHURCH-OWNED BUILDING WHERE SEVERAL CARDINALS LIVE.

ONE CARDINAL CALLED THE PROPOSAL A PERVERSE DECISION.

THE McDONALD'S WOULD BRING $33,000 A MONTH IN RENTAL INCOME TO THE VATICAN.

>>> SYRIA AND RUSSIA AGREED TO HALT THEIR AIRSTRIKES IN ALEPPO IN ORDER TO ALLOW CIVILIANS AND REBELS TO FLEE.

HEAVY RUSSIAN AND SYRIAN BOMBING HAS RECENTLY HIT HOSPITALS AND KILLED HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS.

SOME SAY DESPITE THE CEASEFIRE, AID IS STILL NOT REACHING THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE OR REFUSING TO LEAVE THE BROKEN CITY.

MEANWHILE, THOUSANDS OF IRAQIS ARE FLEEING MOSUL AND ARRIVING IN SYRIA.

U.S.-BACKED IRAQI GOVERNMENT AND KURDISH FORCES ARE IN THE MIDST OF A CAMPAIGN TO RECAPTURE MOSUL FROM THE ISIS TERRORISTS.

>>> ISRAEL HAS SUSPENDED ITS TIES WITH UNESCO, THE CULTURAL AGENCY OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

THE DECISION CAME AFTER THE AGENCY ADOPTED A RESOLUTION THAT CRITICIZED ISRAEL'S TREATMENT OF ONE OF JERUSALEM'S HOLIEST SITES.

THE RESOLUTION, CALLED OCCUPIED PALESTINE, LAYS OUT RULES FOR PRESERVING A RELIGIOUS SITE THAT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR BOTH JEWS AND MUSLIMS.

JEWS CALL THE SITE THE TEMPLE MOUNT.

MUSLIMS CALL IT THE NOBLE SANCTUARY.

THE U.N.

RESOLUTION USES ONLY THE ISLAMIC NAME.

THE RESOLUTION ALSO CRITICIZES ISRAELI ACTIONS AGAINST MUSLIM WORSHIPPERS.

24 COUNTRIES VOTED FOR THE DRAFT RESOLUTION, WITH 26 ABSTAINING.

SIX COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, VOTED AGAINST IT.

>>> THERE WERE TEARS OF JOY AS SOME OF THE SCHOOLGIRLS KIDNAPPED IN NIGERIA BY BOKO HARAM TWO AND HALF YEARS AGO WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

NIGERIA'S GOVERNMENT IS VOWING TO RESCUE EVEN MORE GIRLS.

BUT THERE ARE REPORTS SOME MIGHT BE UNWILLING TO LEAVE THEIR CAPTORS.

EXPERTS SAY SOME OF THE GIRLS MAY HAVE BEEN RADICALIZED BY THE ISLAMIC MILITANT GROUP.

OTHERS MAY BE TOO FEARFUL TO RETURN HOME BECAUSE THEY MARRIED EXTREMISTS AND HAVE HAD A CHILD.

SOME OF THE GIRLS HAVE BEEN SHUNNED BY THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>>> NOW, A FRED DE SAM LAZARO STORY ABOUT A LIBERIAN-BORN AMERICAN WHO IS HELPING IMPOVERISHED LIBERIANS CREATE JOBS.

HIS NAME IS CHID LIBERTY, AND HE IS SUCCEEDING IN SPITE OF WAR, EBOLA, CORRUPTION AND JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT COULD GO WRONG.

>> EVERY MORNING, NEARLY 100 WOMEN AT THIS GARMENT FACTORY IN MONROVIA BEGIN THEIR WORKDAY WITH SONG.

"LIBERIAN WOMEN, WAKE UP," THEY SING.

"YOU ARE THE LEADERS OF THE NATION."

MOST OF THEM GREW UP IN NEARBY SLUMS.

MANY HAD NO FORMAL EDUCATION.

AND YET, NOW THEY HAVE BECOME LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND PART-OWNERS OF THIS FACTORY.

THE MAN WHO BUILT THE FACTORY IS CHID LIBERTY, A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR WHO WAS BORN IN LIBERIA, THE SON OF A DIPLOMAT, WHOSE FAMILY SOUGHT ASYLUM IN THE U.S. DURING THE 14-YEAR-LONG CIVIL WAR.

LIBERTY WAS RAISED IN WISCONSIN, BECAME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, AND WAS WORKING IN SILICON VALLEY LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM, HE SAYS, WHEN HE HAD A REVELATION.

>> I WAS LIVING IN THE BAY AREA.

I HAD A NICE SALARY.

I HAD A VERY EXPENSIVE FOREIGN CAR.

I HAD EVERYTHING YOU THINK THAT A 20-SOME-YEAR-OLD KID WOULD WANT.

BUT I REALIZED THAT WITHOUT GOING BACK TO LIBERIA, I'D NEVER REALLY KNOW WHO I AM TRULY AS A PERSON.

>> LIBERTY RETURNED TO A COUNTRY WHICH HAD BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE WAR.

NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE POPULATION LIVED IN POVERTY.

MORE THAN HALF OF ALL ADULTS WERE ILLITERATE.

ALTHOUGH THE COUNTRY EXPORTED IRON ORE, RUBBER AND DIAMONDS, THOSE INDUSTRIES DIDN'T CREATE MANY JOBS, HE SAYS.

>> WE HAD MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOBODY WHO WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURING ANYTHING HERE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION OR EXPORT.

TO ME, THAT WAS CRAZY.

HOW CAN WE EXPECT TO PULL SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY IF WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY MAKING SOMETHING?

IF WE'RE NOT ADDING VALUE TO SOMETHING?

I LOOKED TO COUNTRIES THAT HAVE DONE IT IN A REALLY AMAZING WAY IN ASIA AND SAID I FEEL LIKE THIS IS AFRICA'S TIME TO DO THIS.

>> HE DECIDED TO BUILD A FAIR-TRADE GARMENT FACTORY PAYING WOMEN COMPETITIVE WAGES.

HE WENT LOOKING FOR U.S. INVESTORS WITH THIS PITCH -- >> HEY, I WANT TO GO AND DO THIS GROUND-BREAKING, WORLD-CHANGING THING THAT COULD HELP PLANT THE SEED ON A CONTINENT FOR APPAREL MANUFACTURING AND GROW IT IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY AND CHANGE AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY.

I WOULD GO IN THERE WITH THAT PITCH, AND EVERYBODY WOULD LOOK AT ME AND SAY, MANUFACTURING IN NOT JUST AFRICA BUT IN LIBERIA?

ARE YOU CRAZY?

DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANY SELF-DOUBT, THAT MAYBE THIS WAS INDEED A VERY SILLY IDEA?

>> WHAT I KNEW WAS THAT I COULD BELIEVE IN IS THE PEOPLE IN LIBERIA.

>> LIBERTY EVENTUALLY SCRAPED TOGETHER $200,000 FROM SOCIALLY MINDED INVESTORS, ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY 30 SEWING MACHINES AND HIRE 30 WOMEN TO WORK IN HIS AUNT'S BASEMENT.

THEY STARTED BY SEWING SIMPLE THINGS -- T-SHIRTS AND TOTE BAGS, WHICH WERE SOLD LOCALLY.

FOUR YEARS OF AGGRESSIVE DOOR KNOCKING FINALLY YIELDED A JUMBO PRIZE -- A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ORDER FROM THE TROUSER-MAKER HAGGAR.

A NEW BUILDING, NEW MACHINES, AND 300 WORKERS WERE HIRED.

AND THEN THE NEWS GOT EVEN BETTER.

>> WE HAD A SECOND COMPANY THAT WAS GOING TO COME IN ON THE SAME PROGRAM.

WHEN THIS WAS ALL DONE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $40 MILLION A YEAR THAT WE WOULD BE MAKING FROM THESE TWO COMPANIES.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY GREAT BUSINESS, AS DID OUR INVESTORS AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> AND THEN, THIS -- >> THE EBOLA OUTBREAK IN AFRICA CONTINUES.

>> EBOLA.

70% PERCENT OF THIS FACTORY'S EMPLOYEES LIVED IN WESTPOINT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS GROUND ZERO FOR THE DEADLY VIRUS.

LIBERTY MADE SURE HIS EMPLOYEES WERE FULLY INFORMED ABOUT PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE.

STILL, HE WAS FORCED TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS.

THANKFULLY, NOT A SINGLE EMPLOYEE DIED.

>> WE DO BELIEVE THAT GIVING THEM ACCESS TO SOME TYPE OF GOOD INFORMATION WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WE LUCKILY AVOIDED ANY TRAGEDY.

>> THAT WAS ON THE HEALTH FRONT.

ON THE BUSINESS SIDE?

>> ON THE BUSINESS SIDE, WE WENT TO ZERO.

WE LOST ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS.

WE DIDN'T DELIVER IN TIME.

>> WHEN IT FINALLY LOOKED LIKE THE CRISIS WAS OVER, HE TRIED TO WIN BACK HIS CUSTOMERS.

>> I WOULD CALL PEOPLE AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE OUTBREAK'S ALMOST OVER.

DO YOU WANT TO COME BACK TO LIBERIA?

THEY'D IS A, NO, SON.

THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE COMING WITH YOU.

>> STUCK WITH A FACTORY FULL OF FABRIC AND IDLED EMPLOYEES, LIBERTY GOT AN IDEA -- WHY NOT MAKE SCHOOL UNIFORMS, REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS ACROSS AFRICA AND WHICH PARENTS OFTEN CANNOT AFFORD?

>> WE KNEW THAT EDUCATION WAS A REALLY BIG PROBLEM.

KIDS WERE OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A YEAR.

WE HAD A FACTORY WHICH NEEDED TO GO BACK TO WORK.

WE HAD A LOT OF MATERIAL WHICH NEEDED TO BE CONSUMED INTO SOMETHING.

THE ONE THING I COULD CONTRIBUTE WAS A UNIFORM.

OF COURSE, THE WOMEN BROKE OUT CHEERING.

YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE VERY RELIGIOUS, BOTH CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM.

THEY LOVED THE IDEA OF DOING THIS GRAND ACT OF GENEROSITY.

>> TO PAY THE WORKERS WHO WOULD SEW AND DONATE THE UNIFORMS, LIBERTY LAUNCHED A KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN SELLING T-SHIRTS.

HE RAISED $230,000 IN JUST OVER A MONTH.

THAT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE MANHATTAN RETAILER BLOOMINGDALE'S, WHICH INVITED HIM TO START HIS OWN CLOTHING LINE.

HE CALLED IT, APPROPRIATELY ENOUGH, UNIFORM.

IT INCLUDES BASIC T-SHIRTS, PANTS AND JACKETS, AND THEY'RE MARKETED AS SOCIALLY MINDED PRODUCTS.

WITH EACH SALE OF A GARMENT IN THE U.S., MONEY IS DONATED TO THE UNIFORM PROJECT IN LIBERIA.

WE WENT WITH HIM RECENTLY AS HE DELIVERED T-SHIRTS TO THE MONROVIA FOOTBALL ACADEMY.

SO FAR, HE'S BEEN ABLE TO DONATE 8,000 UNIFORMS TO SCHOOLS ACROSS LIBERIA.

CHID LIBERTY SAYS HE NEVER THOUGHT HE'D BE IN THE FASHION BUSINESS.

BUT NOW HE SAYS HE'S HAPPY NOT TO HAVE TO DEPEND ON OTHER CLIENTS.

>> I REALLY THOUGHT THAT THERE'S NO WAY WE COULD DO IT ON OUR OWN.

BUT IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO SEE OUR OWN BRAND AND LEAD WITH GENEROSITY AND HELP WITH KIDS IN SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S WHAT ENDED UP MAKING THE FACTORY SUCCESSFUL.

>> THE WOMEN SEEM HAPPY, TOO.

THEY MAKE MORE MONEY THAN AVERAGE CIVIL SERVANTS AND RECEIVE HEALTH CARE AND EVEN BASIC LITERACY COURSEWORK.

SCHOOL WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR MANY OF THEM DURING THE WAR.

SO YOU HEARD THERE WAS A JOB HERE, AND YOU CAME HERE?

>> YES.

>> HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE HERE?

>> HOW LONG WOULD I LIKE TO BE HERE?

FOREVER.

>> DOING THIS JOB HAS HELPED ME PROVIDE FOR MY CHILDREN AND SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL.

>> LIBERTY IS ABLE TO PAY HIGHER WAGES AND KEEP HIS PRICES COMPETITIVE WITH ASIAN FACTORIES BECAUSE HIS GARMENTS CAN BE IMPORTED DUTY-FREE TO THE U.S., THANKS TO A SPECIAL LAW DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE TRADE WITH AND EXPORTS FROM AFRICAN NATIONS.

THERE REMAIN HUGE HURDLES -- THE LACK OF ADEQUATE ROADS, PORTS, POWER AND BUREAUCRATIC CORRUPTION.

BUT CHID LIBERTY SAYS ALL THOSE WORRIES STOP AT THE FACTORY DOOR.

>> FOR ME, ALMOST FROM A MORE SPIRITUAL LEVEL, IT'S BEEN SO AMAZING TO WATCH PEOPLE HAVE THE DIGNITY OF A JOB.

SO MUCH SO THAT AT TIMES WHEN WE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF EBOLA AND KEPT TELLING THEM DON'T COME THEY STILL CAME.

THEY CAME IN.

THEY JUST WANTED TO BELONG TO SOMETHING.

IT MEANT SOMETHING TO THEM.

YOU KNOW, THEY OWN HALF OF THIS FACTORY.

THEY SEE EACH OTHER AS FAMILY, AND THEY BELONG TO EACH OTHER.

>> IT'S A TINY EFFORT IN A COUNTRY IN DESPERATE NEED OF HUNDREDS MORE, BUT A PROTOTYPE, HE SAYS, OF WHAT AFRICA NEEDS -- DECENT JOBS MAKING AFRICAN PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN RESOURCES IN AFRICA.

FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS WEEKLY," I'M FRED DE SAM LAZARO IN MONROVIA, LIBERIA.

>>> FINALLY, ON OUR CALENDAR, THE EXUBERANT JEWISH HOLIDAY OF SIMCHAT TORAH, WHICH WILL BE CELEBRATED NEXT WEEK.

JEWS HONOR THE GIFT OF THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES, THE TORAH ITSELF, AND ALSO THE END OF THE YEAR'S CYCLE OF TORAH READING AND THE START OF THE NEW ONE.

IT'S TRADITIONALLY CELEBRATED BY DANCING WITH THE TORAH.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

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AS WE LEAVE YOU, MUSIC FROM A RECENT MASS AT THE SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IN WASHINGTON.

♪♪'S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.