Bishop of Connecticut's Letter to Six Priests Threatens Inhibition/Deposition

The following letter was sent from the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut to the Rector of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, Connecticut, on March 29, 2005. Similar notice was also sent to five other priests in Connecticut, all of whom face inhibition if they do not abide by Bishop Smith's requestsby next Friday, April 15. They would then face possible deposition from their positions if after six months a resolution is still not reached.

The other five priests and churches who received this same typeof letter are: the Rev. Ronald A. Gauss of Bishop Seabury Church(Groton, Conn.); the Rev. Mark Hansen of St. John’s EpiscopalChurch (Bristol, Conn.); the Rev. Donald Helmandollar of Trinity Episcopal Church (Bristol, Conn.); the Rev. Gilbert Wilkes ofChrist and the Epiphany Church (East Haven, Conn.); and the Rev. Allyn Benedict of Christ Church (Watertown, Conn.). All six ofthese parishes applied for Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight(DEPO) almost a year ago, but since then many orthodox Anglicans have declared this provision grossly inadequate and instead await the creation and action of the Panel of Reference, which the Primates promised in their February Communique to set up for the protection of priests such as these.

The text of the Bishop’s letter is as follows:

[On Letterhead of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut]

March 29, 2005

The Rev. Christopher Leighton
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church
471 Mansfield AvenueDarien, CT 06820

Dear Father Leighton:

I write to inform you that the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Connecticut, having received and considered reports that I have submitted to them, has determined in accordance with TitleIV, Canon 10 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, that you have abandoned the communion of this Church.

As you know, this is a most serious finding, one which leads to the Inhibition of a priest’s ministry, and in the absence of a clear renewal of relationship with the bishop and the Church, will lead to deposition from the priesthood of this Church.

We have served together for many years. My desire and intention is that together we serve Christ and the world in the fellowship and communion of this Church. Prior to exercising my responsibility under Title IV, Canon 10, I offer you a meeting to reach sacramental, pastoral and ecclesial reconciliation with the church. If this is also your desire, please contact Julie Burnepin my office so we can conclude that reconciliation before April15.

I pray that we can resolve the issue of abandonment clearly and without further harm to you, the parish you serve, and themission with which we have been entrusted in Christ. And I pray Christ’s blessing on us all, again for his sake and the world’s.

Yours in Christ,
(signed)
Andrew D. Smith
Bishop

Source: American Anglican Council