Episcopal Bishop Andrew D. Smith has seemingly eased his attitude towards the six Episcopal priests from Connecticut during the diocesan meeting in Hartford on Thursday 21st April.
180 priests attended the meeting and many of them insisted and urged Bishop Smith not to suspend the six priests as the "Episcopal Church is already tearing itself apart over the conflicting views on sexuality."
Bishop Smith made no comment after the meeting, but the six priests, who all attended the meeting, said they did not see any adjustment in the position of Bishop Smith. "I see no change in his position," said one, the Rev. Christopher Leighton, rector of St. Paul's Church in Darien. "The threat is still hanging over our heads."
This meeting was the second meeting concerning the acceptance of gay bishops this week. On Monday, the six priests and bishop met in an attempt to reconcile after the priests were found to have "abandoned the communion."
After this attempt failed, the priests were faced with the fact that they may be suspended, and eventually be defrocked. Bishop Smith commented after the unproductive meeting that "suspension was imminent."
However, the priests have received support from other conservative priests all over the country. During yesterday's meeting, Bishop Smith reflected aloud that if the priests would be willing to return to their positions before the talks broke down last year they could maybe begin again. The six did not answer immediately, but afterwards, Father Leighton said that "there is little chance of that happening."
"We would need to return to July 2003, before the Episcopal Church USA abandoned Scripture and the faith and order of Anglicanism" by elevating the gay bishop, Father Leighton said in a statement.
