Father Augustine Bangalie, a visiting Roman Catholic priest at the Good Shepherd Parish of Martha’s Vineyard, will give a talk Friday night about the Ebola crisis in Africa and how faith is a part of the solution.

The talk, The Scourge of Ebola and the Crisis of Faith, takes place Friday, August 14 at 8 p.m. at the Tabernacle, hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association.

Father Bangalie is a native of Sierra Leone, and he has been a visiting priest with the Good Shepherd Parish on the Vineyard for a number of years. He had just left Sierra Leone for the Island last year when the Ebola crisis escalated in Sierra Leone, and he remained in close touch with family, friends and the church as he observed the deteriorating health situation in his home country. With flights to Sierra Leone suspended as a result of the Ebola crisis, Father Bangalie stayed on the Vineyard after his regular departure time, until December 2014. He briefly visited Sierra Leone in May, where the health crisis is under control but work remains.

Father Bangalie will reflect critically on Christianity, Islam and traditional/indigenous religions in Sierra Leone, and how they have contributed to spreading the disease, leading to a crisis of faith. He will also look at how the religious traditions have become major channels for helping to curb Ebola.

A free will offering will be taken, with all proceeds going to support Ebola relief in Sierra Leone.