CONNECTICUT BISHOP SWOOPS IN ON ORTHODOX RECTOR.
INHIBITS HIM
Special Report
By David W. Virtue

BRISTOL, CT: (7/13/2005)--Connecticut Bishop Andrew Smith and 12 of his diocesan leaders walked into St. John's Episcopal Church in Bristol this morning waving a letter of inhibition at the Rev. Mark Hansen, hacked into the church's computer, shut down the church's website and took over the building. The senior warden tried in vain to stop him.

The bishop then issued a letter of inhibition to Hansen using Title IV Canon 10 Sec. 1 saying that Hansen was not permitted to attend worship or enter the buildings for education or worship. "It is regrettable that your actions have brought us to this point where the initiative which includes this inhibition has become necessary," wrote the bishop.

"I do not accept this inhibition. I am still the Rector of St. John's parish and the Bishop has no right to proceed in accordance to proper canon law," said Fr. Hansen.

On hearing the news the other five parish priests known as the "Connecticut Six" gathered together in solidarity with Hansen and the Senior Warden.

The bishop promptly announced that a woman priest was now in charge of the parish.

An observer noted, with a touch of cynicism that Bishop "Drew' Smith started with the parish where he knew the rector would be away today. He was there for a Vestry meeting last night.

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