Prompted by the Shenango Valley Initiative, Farrell Councilwoman Helen Marenchin apologized Monday for comments she made concerning the role of black churches in the loss of a colleague in the May 15 primary election.

On election night, Mrs. Marenchin called the defeat of longtime Councilman Peter D. Stephanopoulos by newcomer Jeannette Wright Hooks a "disgrace," and charged that black ministers "illegally" supported Ms. Hooks by preaching from the pulpit.

The comments aroused the ire of more than a dozen letter-writers, who took her to task on the opinion pages of The Herald.

At the May 29 council meeting, Mrs. Marenchin said her comments were "all politics" and that she meant nothing personal in them, although she stood by them.

Mrs. Marenchin read a statement Monday, which she also has submitted to The Herald as a letter to the editor, noting that she received a letter June 15 from SVI's clergy caucus.

SVI is a faith-based organization that works for community and economic development and has many clerical members.

The caucus invited Mrs. Marenchin to meet for prayer and a discussion of her remarks.

Mrs. Marenchin said she thought she had put the issue behind her with her comments last month but accepted the invitation to meet.

She apologized to the caucus members and they insisted that she make a public apology, she said.

"My remarks were not intentionally racist and bigoted but I realize now they were viewed as such," she said. "I was wrong."

In her letter, Mrs. Marenchin apologizes to the caucus, the African-American community and "all others who may have been offended by my words."

"I hope and pray this apology is accepted in the spirit it is given and that we can now move on and continue working together for a better community."