A spokesman for Bishop Smith told The Church of England Newspaper that he saw no mediating role in the battle for alternate Episcopal oversight (AEO) in the Diocese of Connecticut.

Karin Hamilton, a spokesman for the diocese, told the newspaper that Bishop Smith has made no "mention of the Panel of Reference" and does not envision a role for it in the present conflict as he wishes to resolve the present dispute "domestically".

Bishop Smith has inhibited the Rev Mark Hansen, rector of St John's, Bristol, Connecticut, for failing to abide by the diocese's sabbatical guidelines -- and by doing so, the diocese claims, pastorally neglecting his congregation, claims which both the rector and the parish reject.

On the morning of July 13, Bishop Smith, accompanied by lawyers and locksmiths, swept into the parish property serving notice on the parish secretary that Dr Hansen had been inhibited and would be deposed in six months unless he recanted. The bishop ordered the locks changed and a security guard maintains a 24-hour vigil at the parish.

But a review of the guidelines set up by the archbishop to investigate divisions in the communion, does not prohibit the parish from continuing in its pursuit for justice. The rules clearly state that if any congregation writes to Lambeth, it will be referred to the Panel at the discretion of the Archbishop. In short the rules do not require the consent of the local diocesan bishop.

At the Anglican Communion's website the following can be found: "The mandate requires that situations where congregations are in serious dispute and unwilling to accept the episcopal ministry of their bishop can only be considered by the Panel on reference from the Archbishop of Canterbury."

"The Archbishop has indicated that, in the first instance, he will consider applications for reference to the Panel in cases where a congregation has passed a resolution indicating that it wishes to seek the help of the Panel in resolving a dispute with its bishop, in which case its letter should be written in the name and over the signatures of those authorised by the congregation."

Further explanation of the Archbishop's Mandate itself in establishing the Panel reveals that not only can a primate or bishop request delegated or extended episcopal oversight but individual parishes may do so as well. Here is the rule: "Each parish of the Communion which considers that in all conscience it cannot accept the direct oversight of its bishop to work with him or her in the first instance towards finding some appropriate means for delegated or extended episcopal oversight within the diocese and Province in which the parish is situated..."

Even if Bishop Smith will not appeal to the Panel of Reference, the parish and its priest can continue to makes its claim for alternative oversight and while the Panel only has an advisory role, pressure will come from the Archbishop of Canterbury as he personally responds to requests to take a look at situations which come in to Lambeth Palace from around the world. While the Archbishop has no formal legal powers - neither does the pope, outside Vatican City - there is a range of options open to him, which may prove remarkably effective. All the time, there is, simultaneously, the constant possibility of direct intervention from another Province, over which neither the local bishop nor the Archbishop has any control, if a dispute is not resolved.

Requests for the services of the Panel should be sent in the first instance to:

Mr. Christopher Smith
Chief of Staff
Lambeth Palace
London
United Kingdom SE1 7JU

END