Dear Mr. Neeley:

Because several phone calls over the last few days have failed to secure the promise of a retraction of comments made on your August 3 newscast, I am now writing to you, the station manager, to insist on such a retraction.

In the August 3 evening newscast, your reporter, Carole Ness, stated that United Church Federation members arriving at the scene of a violent murder "may have interfered with police attempts to apprehend the suspect." She further referred to the group of three people as "religious extremists" who, she suggested, had no business being there.

In fact, that United Church Federation’s purpose in going to such gruesome scenes is to offer prayer and healing. We believe that through prayer, the systemic problem of violent crime in our cities can come to an end. The group is an ad hoc gathering of "members" who actually belong to churches, temples, and synagogues around the city. The Federation itself espouses no specific religious teachings other than a firm belief in the power of prayer.

As for Federation members interfering with police business at such scenes, it simply never happens. Federation members generally gather long after the police have left a scene of violence; when occasionally the police and our group are there simultaneously (as was the case in the four-hour ordeal that day), the relationship between the Federation and police is always one of mutual cooperation and respect.

I would encourage your reporter to talk to Police Chief Robert Gray to verify my position. His number is 321-8565.

Because television wields such power in influencing people’s minds (as demonstrated by the flood of angry phone calls I’ve received in the last few days), I really must insist on a public retraction that includes only factual statements and an objective depiction of the Federation’s activities.

I would welcome a conversation with you or your reporter. My phone number, day or night, is 322-4575.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Reverend Steve Dolerance
United Church Federation