Broken Date

Your article on Evangelist Billy Graham's response to an invitation to a joint speaking appearance in September with Pope John Paul II in Columbia, S.C. ((RELIGION, July 13)), needs to be corrected. At the time of publication, Mr. Graham had hoped that he could rearrange his schedule in order to accept the invitation. Regretfully, he had to decline because of a commitment made nearly two years ago to visit the People's Republic of China. The timing and final briefings for this trip, which are set to begin in September, made it impossible for Mr. Graham to participate in Columbia. Mr. Graham has always respected Pope John Paul II's strong stands for morality and justice, which have won the respect of people around the world, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

A. Larry Ross

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Dallas