“Welcome to CNN’s breaking news story. Over two million people have gathered outside the New York Penitentiary where inside, Bishop Connor, known best by the public as a preacher and miracle maker, is awaiting execution by lethal injection for the alleged murder of Janice Everlee more than thirty years ago. Over the past three decades Bishop has been known by many to welcome the tired, sick, and weary, gathering resources for food for the hungry and curing disease with a simple touch. Ten years ago Bishop was implicated in the murder of Miss Everlee after DNA testing proved he was responsible for her death. Bishop never denied being with Janice on the night of her death, and subsequently he was convicted in a court of law and sentenced to death.
“We’ve also received reports from the inside that his fellow inmates are holding a candlelight vigil for Bishop and are not rioting. This was the concern of the warden and prison guards because of Bishop’s mass popularity with fellow inmates.
“Bishop has consistently maintained his innocence since his incarceration, indicating he only wished to help Janice recover from the traumatic experience of her mother’s untimely death. Prosecutors used this confession as means to convict Bishop of the crime. At this time, we are only a few minutes away from the twelve o’clock hour when Bishop’s execution will be carried out.
“The crowd here is filled with people who were personally touched by Bishop in some way or another over his twenty-year tour of the world. There are people from all over the world, every race, creed, and religion, gathered together with one single purpose. His wife, Susan, has tried relentlessly over the past decade with the help of attorneys personally known by Bishop to cease the execution and release him from his sentence. I’m being told that Susan has requested to be inside with Bishop during the execution and has been allowed to do so. I’ve also been told that a last-minute appeal opposing the execution was denied only minutes ago. Since that time this crowd has organized a sit down. I’m seeing hordes of people huddling in tears and prayer, sitting peacefully as they await a response from the inside. Let me see if I can…
“Yes, hello Jeff Jeffries, CNN World News. Can I ask, ma’am, why do you believe so many have gathered here today in honor of a man who was convicted of murder?”
“Bishop has touched and changed more lives around the world than any person in history. He doesn’t change the pain, but he fills the heart with a kind of peace that could only be passed through him by the hand of God!”
“Then how do you explain his participation in the death of Janice Everlee?”
“I believe what Bishop has said. He tried to help her.
Executing him today only riddles this world with the very indifference Bishop has tried to fight for so long. Walk inside these prison walls, even if for only a second, and you will all be able to see for yourselves how Bishop’s healing injects light into your souls. This action is such an injustice to everyone here and the world over. Stop the indifference in the name of God! Please, we beg of you. Don’t destroy the miracle we’ve been given.”
A hush fell over the crowd as the hourly toll struck twelve. The once overcast skies shifted, allowing the light of the sun to briefly grace the prison walls. Men, women, and children sat quietly in prayer together.
Susan was with Bishop. She wiped the blood from his brow. His body lay stiff on the gurney. Still, a warming sensation tickled her heart and she closed her eyes.
“You’re always with me, I know,” she said. “Someday, I’ll be with you again. My Bishop. My love.”
She went to the window where the crowd had begun to light candles in honor of Bishop’s passing just as the sun settled in the distance. Susan couldn’t help but smile with tears in her eyes. And she said, “You were right, Bishop. Every action we take. Every gesture, every word and thought, means everything. We all do make a difference.”