Posted on 04/16/2005 7:47:29 AM PDT by sionnsar
Andrew Smith blinks:
A duly authorized elected body of the diocese has determined and signified to me that six priests of this Diocese have abandoned the communion of this church.
My responsibility as bishop is to review that determination and act accordingly.
I have offered an opportunity for all the priests to meet with me, next Monday, in the company of Bishop Scruton of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, whom I have asked to help us in our conversation. In light of this meeting, I will not take action today concerning the inhibition of these priests. I look forward to this meeting.
I care deeply for these priests, and for the congregations they serve. I have every hope, for the sake of the Church and our mission, that we will go forward together.
During the course of this controversy, Smith been savagely condemned by retired Episcopal bishops as well as active Episcopal bishops so it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that somebody somewhere in ECUSA gave Smith a call, told him that this was a fight that ECUSA really didn't need right now and strongly urged him to change course. After all, it wasn't too long ago that Smith refused to do what he has just agreed to do.
But in Connecticut, the road to delegated oversight hit a pothole almost immediately. The pastors claim the delegated arrangement is inadequate to meet the needs of their churches. The churches wanted to be considered for delegated oversight as a group, but Smith wanted to work with each one separately.
So this controversy has been somewhat defused although what emerges from this Monday meeting remains to be seen. We will hopefully learn just what it was that caused Smith to declare that six of his priests had "abandoned the communion of this church." But these six priests are no longer the only issue. ECUSA's fidelity to its own word is also on trial and I think ECUSA may actually realize it.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. 
Bishop Scruton of the Diocese of Western Mass is being brought in to the fracas between the Bishop of Connecticut and six faithful priests who were threatened with inhibition today for "abandoning the communion of this church." The Connecticut Standing Committee is making the accusation. +Scruton was the one tapped to look into the "concerns" raised just prior to the Bishops' vote on Gene Robinson in Minneapolis. So we'll see what develops on Monday.
Scruton abstained on the vote for Robinson, I believe..
Apparently so. I saw in an article a bit later that his spokesman said he'd abstained -- though on Google I'd seen he'd received letters asking to vote for Robinson. So now it's a puzzle.
Obviously he's a man of strongly held opinions..(G)
It's all about CYA.
Oh, right. He's looking forward to the Monday meeting with the CT six as much as he'd be looking forward to a personal IRS audit.
Did you notice that our bishop's signature was on the letter to the CT bishop who is strong-arming these priests?
I think he is deciding which legacy he would prefer. His sermon today was heavily orthodox and hopeful.
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