 Eric Modean (religious journalist) Gathered in 1956 to salute Modean as "dean of
the Lutheran press corps", his journalist colleagues honored him as "a tireless
traveler on church missions... (a) dauntless champion of freedom of the press." For
30 years, until 1976, Modean -- a "journalist's journalist" -- directed the news
bureau of the National Lutheran Council and its successor Lutheran Council in the USA. He
served during the tenures of 23 church presidents and was responsible for English press
relations for four assemblies each of the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of
Churches. During the latter's Evanston, Illinois, assembly in 1954, he managed a press
room staff of 14 and attended to the needs of more than 600 reporters from around the
world. Modean began his Connecticut newspaper career as a feature writer and sports editor
before becoming Protestant editor of Religious News Service in New York City. His passion
for truth and the professional ability to write truth honestly, clearly and forcefully
provided the bureau he directed an honored reputation for credibility and reliability. He
died in 1981, considered by many "a father of the modern tradition of religious
journalism." .
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