Episcopal bishop inhibits one of six embattled priests

HARTFORD (AP) -- One of six Episcopal priests accused of refusing to recognize his bishop's authority has been suspended. The six had asked to be supervised by someone else because they oppose gay marriage.
Smith favored the 2003 consecration of the Reverend Gene Robinson, the church's first openly gay bishop. Smith on Wednesday suspended the Reverend Mark Hansen for up to six months and appointed another priest to lead Saint John's Church in Bristol.
A spokeswoman for the diocese says Smith recently learned Hansen had sent a letter to the parish indicating he was leaving the church and would help find another priest. She says Smith does not have any plans to take immediate action against the other five priests. She says Hansen's situation is different because he did not notify Smith of plans to take a sabbatical or leave the church.
The Reverend Susan J. McCone has been appointed to lead the congregation. She's an assistant priest at Saint John's Church in Washington, Connecticut. Parishioners will be invited to a meeting Sunday night to discuss the situation.

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