July 22, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Cynthia P. Brust

770-414-1515

Bishop Smith Dismisses Role and Authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference

In an article dated July 22, 2005, the Church of England Newspaper reports that Andrew Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, has “warned” the Panel of Reference “that it will have no role in the battle for alternate episcopal oversight (AEO)” in the Diocese of Connecticut. According to the report, Diocesan Director of Communications Karin Hamilton says Bishop Smith “does not envision a role for it [the panel] in the present conflict as he wishes to resolve the present dispute ‘domestically’.” 

The Rev. Canon David C. Anderson, President and CEO of the American Anglican Council (AAC), responded to the recent developments in the Diocese of Connecticut saying,  “This is a staggering development in a dramatic and escalating situation.  Bishop Smith ran roughshod over canon law when he seized St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bristol and inhibited their rector. Now he has reportedly challenged the Archbishop of Canterbury who established the Panel of Reference in order to deal with cases just like this one. Are their no bounds to his arrogance and challenge of Anglican authority?”

In response to an urgent request from Primates of the Anglican Communion in their February 2005 Communique, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams appointed a Panel of Reference to “supervise the adequacy of pastoral provisions made by any churches” experiencing “serious theological dispute with their diocesan bishops.”  The Primates described the purpose of the Panel as protecting “the integrity and legitimate needs” of such clergy and congregations, a vision consistent with their statement of October 2003.  The Panel convened last week to set guidelines and procedures.

“It would behoove Bishop Smith to take the time to read carefully the Communique of the Panel of Reference (July 15, 2005),” said Canon Anderson. “Requests for intervention are to be made directly to the Archbishop of Canterbury who will refer cases to the Panel.  This process does not require the approval or even the knowledge of the diocesan bishop. Bishop Smith has no authority to dictate or to interfere with the due process of the Archbishop’s Panel.”

St. John’s as well as five other Connecticut congregations have formally appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury requesting referral to the Panel of Reference and have notified both Bishop Smith and his chancellor of their petition.  The situation in Connecticut demonstrates clearly why Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO), a plan developed by the Episcopal Church House of Bishops, is woefully inadequate and fails to meet the standards set by Anglican Primates.

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Enclosures:

(1) Communique from the Panel of Reference

(2) Church of England Newspaper article

Communiqué from the Panel of Reference

The Panel of Reference, established by Archbishop Rowan Williams in response to the request of the Primates and Moderators of the Provinces of the Anglican Communion in their Communiqué issued from Dromantine, Northern Ireland, in February 2005, met in London from Tuesday, 12th – Thursday, 14th July 2005. Members have been united in their prayers for, and send messages of goodwill to, all who suffer in any way as a result of the recent terrorist outrages in London. The Panel also shared in daily prayers and the celebration of the Eucharist.

ACNS 4008                |                LAMBETH                |                15 JULY 2005

Communiqué from the Panel of Reference

The Panel of Reference, established by Archbishop Rowan Williams in response to the request of the Primates and Moderators of the Provinces of the Anglican Communion in their Communiqué issued from Dromantine, Northern Ireland, in February 2005, met in London from Tuesday, 12th – Thursday, 14th July 2005. Members have been united in their prayers for, and send messages of goodwill to, all who suffer in any way as a result of the recent terrorist outrages in London. The Panel also shared in daily prayers and the celebration of the Eucharist.

Eucharist in the Chapel at St Andrew's House

This first plenary meeting was devoted to the preparation of the work of the Panel, and of the rules of procedure which the Panel decided to adopt. The result of its discussions and the mandate of the Archbishop of Canterbury by which the Panel was established are set out in the documents below.

The Panel gave special attention to those schemes of extended, shared or delegated episcopal ministry which have been established by various Provinces of the Communion. Members recognised in these schemes a real attempt by the Provinces involved to meet the principled concerns of those who find themselves in serious theological dispute with their bishops or Provinces over recent developments concerning questions of Christian doctrine and discipline. The Panel noted that concerns have been expressed about the adequacy of the alternative pastoral oversight provided by the schemes. The Panel is keeping the schemes under review and will test their viability against the cases referred to it by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Panel was grateful for the hospitality and support afforded by the staff of the Anglican Communion Office in London and of Lambeth Palace, where the meetings took place, and are particularly grateful to the Archbishop of Canterbury for taking the time out of a busy schedule to meet with the members of the Panel and share with them some of his hopes for their work.

Members of the Panel at Lambeth Palace

Commenting on the two days of meetings, the Chair of the Panel, Archbishop Peter Carnley said: “The creation of the Panel of Reference is a new development within Anglicanism. It is our hope and prayer that we can make a significant contribution to the Church’s mission through resolving tensions between Anglicans. I am grateful for the professional and expert way in which the members of the Panel have focussed upon the tasks with which we have been charged by the Anglican Communion. Amongst all our members I discerned a deep desire to serve the witness of the Anglican Communion to the new life found in Christ by working to bring reconciliation and understanding in situations of deep division where there is disagreement about the nature of the Gospel which we proclaim.”

The Panel begins its work immediately. It awaits referral by the Archbishop of Canterbury of situations falling within the mandate which he has given it.

For further information, please contact:

Canon Gregory K Cameron OR Dr Brian Hanson

Secretaries to the Panel

The Anglican Communion Office

Saint Andrew’s House

16 Tavistock Crescent

London W11 1AP

020 7313 3900

brian.hanson@aco.org

In cases where Anglican congregations wish to invoke the procedures of the Panel, approach should be made to:

Mr Christopher Smith

Chief of Staff

Lambeth Palace

SE1 7JU

020 7898 1200

elizabeth.doone@c-of-e.org.uk

Notes to Editors

Schemes for extended, delegated or shared episcopal ministry considered by the Panel include those of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Church of England, the Scottish Episcopal Church, and the Episcopal Church (USA).

Further information may be found here:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/commission/reference/index.cfm

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From The Church of England Newspaper

Mediating Panel not wanted in US diocese

Number: 5778     Date: July 22

Plans for an international Panel of Reference to investigate divisions between traditionalists and liberals will not affect a key American diocese. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference has been warned that it will play no role in the battle for alternate Episcopal oversight (AEO) in the diocese of Connecticut, a spokesman for Bishop Andrew Smith told The Church of England Newspaper.

Bishop Smith’s rejection of a mediating roll for the Panel in one of the flashpoints of division within the Communion, demonstrates its irrelevance, critics charge. Liberal American and Canadian bishops who have expressed willingness to work with the Panel have largely granted AEO to dissident parishes, while bishops who so far have refused AEO, will ignore the Panel with impunity, they claim. Bishop Smith Bishop inhibited the Rev Mark Hansen, rector of St John’s, Bristol, Connecticut, for failing to abide by the diocese’s sabbatical guidelines -- and by doing so, the diocese claims, pastorally neglecting his congregation. On the morning of July 13, Bishop Smith, accompanied by lawyers and locksmiths, served notice on the parish secretary that Dr Hansen -- a staunch opponent of Bishop Smith over his support for Gene Robinson -- had been inhibited and would be deposed in six months unless he recanted. The bishop ordered the locks changed and a security guard maintains a 24-hour vigil at the parish.

Earlier, on March 29 Bishop Smith gave Dr Hansen and five other priests -- known colloquially as the Connecticut Six -- until April 15 to recant of their opposition to his policies. Bishop Smith’s threat to depose priests without trial elicited sharp protest from traditionalist bishops who said his actions "amounted to an "unconscionable ecclesiastical tyranny".

Dr. Hansen told us the charges leveled against him by the diocese were "specious". While acknowledging that he had taken a sabbatical with the blessings of his vestry, he contested Bishop Smith’s claim that the parish had been pastorally neglected, noting that two retired clergy, the parish deacon, and the rector of a neighboring parish were filling in during his absence. He also stated that he met with the suffragan bishop of Connecticut on July 1 to discuss his sabbatical. Dr. Hansen also rejected Bishop Smith’s claim that his whereabouts were unknown, saying he continued to reside in the parish rectory and his telephone was in working order. Dr. Hansen told us that on April 12, attorneys for the Ct Six wrote to the diocese "beseeching Bishop Smith that he refer our differences to the Panel of Reference". No response to the request has been made as of our going to press.

Karin Hamilton, a spokesman for the diocese, tells us Bishop Smith has made no "mention of the Panel of Reference" and does not envision a roll for it in the present conflict as he wishes to resolve the present dispute "domestically".

Date: 7/22/2005