A national review committee of the Episcopal Church has dismissed all the religious charges brought against Connecticut Bishop Andrew Smith (pic'd here) by leaders of six conservative parishes, the bishop said Friday.The parishes had alleged, among other things, inappropriate application of church law in Smith's decision to support the Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the church's first openly gay bishop.
Robinson's 2003 consecration divided the U.S. Episcopal Church and expanded the rift over gay issues among churches in the global Anglican Communion.
Dubbed the "Connecticut Six," the priests had asked to be supervised by a different bishop because they disagreed with Smith's support for Robinson.
The committee issued an 89-page decision that was mailed on April 11 to attorneys for the Diocese and for the churches.
There is no provision for appeal.
The committee, comprising five bishops, two priests, and two lay persons, is similar to a grand jury, which determines if there is enough evidence to continue to a church trial.
Smith said he was pleased with the committee's ruling.
"My desire has always been to bring reconciliation with the clergy and laity who sought to dissociate themselves from the oversight of their bishop and the mission and life of the Diocese of Connecticut," he said in a statement released Friday. "I will never abandon that desire and hope."
Messages were left seeking comment from the priests and their lawyer, Ralph Dupont.
The six parishes also had filed a federal lawsuit in 2005 seeking several million dollars in damages from Smith.
They allege he violated their civil and property rights after they tried to break away from his authority because he supported the election of Robinson.
A federal judge dismissed the case last year and the parishes are appealing.
In spring 2005, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Connecticut, an elected council of advice, determined that each of the six rectors had "abandoned the communion of the Church."
Smith eventually removed the Rev. Mark Hansen of St. John's in Bristol based in part on the Standing Committee recommendation.
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