Hartford, Conn., Jul 14, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Episcopalian bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut has suspended a priest who disagreed with his support of an openly gay bishop.
Bishop Andrew Smith issued a decision Wednesday inhibiting Rev. Mark Hansen, pastor of the 200-member St. John’s Church in Bristol, for six months. Another five priests have been under the threat of inhibition since April.
The inhibition suspends Rev. Hansen’s priestly functions in the Diocese of Connecticut, but he still remains a priest. However, if the situation is not resolved in six months, Smith can remove him from the priesthood. The bishop has invited parishioners to a meeting Sunday to discuss the situation.
The Connecticut Six, as they have come to be known, had asked for a different bishop to provide oversight shortly after Bishop Smith voted for the ordination of the openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003.