ECUSA Reach Out to Six "Abandoned" Episcopal Priests

Six dissident priests said yesterday that they would respond after this weekend to an offer by the Episcopal bishop of Connecticut, to meet and reconcile. The six priests of the Episcopal church in the US (ECUSA) were previously reported to have "abandoned the communion" by the diocesan committee. Their move has been said to have been a direct result of the controversial consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson in 2003.

The six priests, together with their congregations rebelled against bishop Smith - of the office of Diocesans, who oversees canonical assigned responsibilities, as he voted for bishop Robinson, believed to be the first open gay bishop elected ever in the history of Anglican church.

Waves of indignations followed the consecration of gay bishop in many episcopical congregations. The Connecticut parishes began withholding their contribution to the diocese which is about 12.5 percent of their revenue.

Bishop Smith released a statement yesterday where he proposed a meeting with the six priests in the presence of Massachusetts Bishop Gordon P. Scruton, who has a reputation as "a bridge builder" as expressed by one of the priests in his diocese. If the priests do not reconcile, there will be the possibility of suspension.

"Bishop Smith is offering, if not an olive branch, at least an olive twig," the Massachusetts priest, Roger E. Senechal of St. Thomas Church in Auburn, said last night, "and to involve someone of Bishop Scruton's stature is a very good thing."

"I care deeply for these priests, and for the congregations they serve," declares Smith. "I have every hope, for the sake of the church and our mission that we will go forward together."

The case of these priests has the support of Conservative Episcopalians across the country. The six priests involved in the conflict with Smith released a statement last night saying, "We note the offer to meet with the six of us and, taking into account the very short notice, will respond to the bishop to determine when and how this meeting might take place."