Six Episcopal Priests Face Possible Discipline

Six Episcopal priests that were greatly outspoken in their opposition to Bishop Andrew Smith's support of homosexual Gene Robinson's consecration, have met with Bishop Smith on Monday evening. However, a four hour meeting failed to reconcile them and the priests now may face possible discipline.

The election of Bishop Robinson has made a great impact on churches in all country for a second year. In Overland Park, Kansas, the situation culminated when church members voted for separation from the Episcopal Diocese in Kansas and the Episcopal denomination.

The case of the six priests in Connecticut started last May when the priest asked to be supervised by another bishop, as they did not agree with Smith's support of Bishop Robinson. Diocesan officials claim that the six parishes led by them didn't meet their financial obligations to the diocese. The issue was taken to the Standing Committee that concluded the priests were acting against the Church Canons.

On Friday, the six priests from conservative parishes faced removal from their positions. A spokeswoman for the diocese said that the priests faced removal not because of their views on Robinson, but because they had previously not been willing to meet with Bishop Smith to work out a solution. However, Bishop Smith then sent them a letter saying he had decided to postpone the decision and meet the priests to attempt to solve the situation.

"In the past year I have offered to arrange for another bishop to be their pastor and parish visitor," Smith said. "To date they have refused that offer. Rather, the priests have demanded that the historic traditions we live by as a Church be changed for them and the congregations they serve."

"Their requirements would break the ties they have to the Diocese of Connecticut," he said. "What they expect I cannot grant because of the responsibilities I have for all of the people and parishes of the diocese."

The Rev. Christopher Leighton of St. Paul's Church in Darien, one of the priests, said before the meeting that the six would consider what Bishop Smith had to say.

"To listen to him, it sounds like we've been refusing to meet, which is just not the case," Leighton said. "We've been waiting for this meeting. We've wanted this meeting. We're glad to meet with him."

After Monday’s meeting at the diocese's offices, Bishop Smith said: "By leaving the meeting tonight without acknowledging my authority as their bishop, they have placed themselves under the threat of inhibition by refusing to live within their vows."

Inhibition is a diocese's restriction of priestly functions - authority to celebrate Mass, perform weddings and hear confessions in the Connecticut Diocese.

The priests refused to comment on the meeting with Bishop Smith.

"Six priests have welcomed this opportunity to meet with the bishop," said The Rev. Allyn Benedict of Christ Episcopal Church in Watertown. "There's nothing we can say right now that would be helpful."

However, the priests have not been left alone - clergy from conservative parishes all over the country have expressed their support to them in this matter.