Posted on 04/10/2005 7:25:32 AM PDT by KosmicKitty
Episcopal leader warns 6 priests of ouster
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The state's Episcopal bishop has warned six Connecticut priests who opposed the election of the first openly gay bishop that they could be removed as rectors of their parishes by Friday.
Bishop Andrew D. Smith said in letters sent recently to the priests that they had "abandoned the communion of the church," which would mean the priests would no longer lead their parishes. The priests could eventually be defrocked.
According to Smith's letter, the dispute between the bishop and the rectors was put before the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese, which comprises clergy and lay leaders. The group concluded on March 29 that that the six rectors were not in accordance with church canons and were out of communion, The Hartford Courant reported Saturday.
The six churches have clashed with Smith since 2003 when he voted for the election of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the U.S. Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop.
The Rev. Christopher Leighton, rector of St. Paul's Church in Darien, is one of the six priests who received a letter from Smith.
A statement that was circulated April 3 to the St. Paul's congregation said Smith accused Leighton, "without explanation, of having abandoned the communion of the Church, and he proceeded to threaten further action which would bring harm to Father Leighton, our parish and our mission."
Leighton said Smith is imposing "spiritual gag orders."
"The real story is our freedom to speak and our freedom to practice our faith is what is being inhibited," he said.
Leighton and the other rectors represent conservative parishes that opposed Robinson's consecration. The six churches have since tried to break away from Smith's authority and be supervised by another bishop, allowing the churches to report to a different bishop while remaining under the supervision of their own bishop.
In Connecticut, the churches wanted to be considered for the so-called delegated oversight as a group, but Smith wanted to work separately with each. The rectors also have sought assurances that they would be succeeded by conservative pastors if they leave their parishes.
The Rev. Mark Hansen of St. John's Church in Bristol said he and the other priests have done nothing to warrant removal.
"Despite what he said, he is taking action against us," he said.
The U.S. bishops who supported Robinson - not the six Connecticut priests - are out of communion, Hansen said.
Smith declined further comment, The Courant reported. In his column in the diocesan newsletter, he said the priests rejected his attempts at reconciliation.
"I am deeply sorry we have reached this place," he wrote. "My intention and prayer remain that the rectors and the parishes will return to communion with the diocese, either with full oversight by the bishop or through the implementation of delegated Episcopal pastoral oversight."
The other Connecticut rectors who received notice from Smith are the Rev. Ronald Gauss of Bishop Seabury Church in Groton, the Rev. Gilbert Wilkes of Christ and the Epiphany Church in East Haven, the Rev. Don Helmandollar of Trinity Church in Bristol and the Rev. Allyn Benedict of Christ Church in Watertown.
If an agreement is not reached between Smith and the six priests, the rectors will first be prevented from performing their duties at their churches. After several months, the process to defrock the priests could begin.
Robinson's election as bishop provoked a clash between the U.S. Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.
What a sad state of affairs!!
The Episcopal Church is not really a church anymore, is it? My wife brought me with her into the Episcopal Church ( I was born and raised Catholic) in New Haven. We attend a chuch in Killingworth now although not regularly. Looks to me like I might try the local Catholic church now.
There are neocommunists forces at work in this country to destroy every traditional/conservayive institution in our country. The ultimate goal is to destroy capitalism. That objective is furthered every time some traditional authority is destroyed and replaced by a fuzzy concensus where there are no standards. The fairies, illegal alien supporters, firearmaphobes, antifinal reward whackos, and so on lead. There are many others, all chipping away, little pieces at a time!
Well, the bishops who support Robinson are saying "This is what we have decided. Accept it happily, or we will fire you."
Yep, saw that right after I did a search and posted mine, Oh well.
Keyword: "HOMOSEXUYALS"
Is that southern for homosexuals?
Hmm, so let me get this straight.
Something recently removed from Episcopal doctrine.
Brought to you by the first person who was eliminated from the spelling bee
Every spelling bee ;-)
I am lutheran, but the more the church runs to the left the more I am thinking of joining th Church of Rome.
ping
Episcopal church is absolute joke
I am also a Lutheran,finds yourself a Wells Synod or Missouri Synod church get out of ELCA they are wahy to liberal!
They should have got out along time ago.
Ping!
Off of the blogs, out of the Internet and into the New Haven Register.
Will this get the ACN - known as the Network - to respond?
Still remember the last Episcopal service I attended. It was at the National Cathedral in D.C. The Pastor giving the sermon was from Connecticut, and he proceeded to bash President Bush as a reckless militarist whose actions had caused muslims across the world to fear and hate the U.S.
Did something I've never done before--walked out in the middle of a sermon. It's time for a reformation in America's Protestant denominations, to wrest control of them from the grip of leftist politicians disguising themselves as church leaders. It's tragic, but the Presbyterians and Methodists are following in the Episcopalian's footsteps.
The Episcopal Church has lost at least 30% of its membership since the 60's. Hmmm, wonder why....
Typical liberalism at work. They try to scare and frighten you until you hold their belief. It's why the MSM and our colleges are filled with liberalism.
The purges begin.
And that same thing is being said and executed all around the country. Many have already been defrocked and/or are in the process. Woe unto these.
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