.- An Episcopalian priest was removed from his duties because he disagreed with the consecration of the church’s first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. Bishop Andrew Smith of Connecticut formally stripped Mark Hansen of his priestly functions Saturday; Hansen had been suspended from ministry six months earlier.
Hansen was among six priests and parishes who had asked to be supervised by a different bishop because they disagreed with Smith's support for Robinson’s 2003 ordination, which has divided the U.S. Episcopal Church and created a rift among churches in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Hansen, who resigned his priesthood in September, refused to meet with the bishop. The bishop has not yet decided on action against the five other priests, who have been threatened with suspension. He said he hopes for reconciliation.
