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P.O. Box 71
Simsbury, CT 06070
October 13, 2005
The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith
Bishop of Connecticut
1335 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105-2295
Dear Bishop Smith:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter to me of October 4, 2005.
In that letter you state that I have "sent [you] a fax in which [I] deny the charge of abandonment of communion." In fact, I sent you a signed denial of the charge, under oath, which was delivered to you on July 28, 2005 by overnight courier. Your letter of October 4 is the first time you have acknowledged receipt of my denial.
You also request that I meet with you to discuss my denial "in compliance with the expectations of Canon 10."
I have reviewed Canon 10 and see no requirement of a meeting following your receipt of my denial of the charge. Canon 10 requires you to withdraw the notice of inhibition upon receipt of my good faith denial.
As I'm sure you know, whether or not my denial was made in "good faith" is an entirely different question than whether you believe the charge is valid. The good faith nature of the denial is self-evident from my sworn statements made therein.
I completely reject the proposition that Title IV, Canon 10 is applicable to our theological disagreement. I note that Presiding Bishop Griswold has stated, in connection with a similar dispute in another diocese, that Canon 10 should not be used in situations such as this. I do not wish to lend any legitimacy to your improper use of Canon 10, and therefore respectfully decline your request for a meeting to discuss my statement further, as it speaks for itself. I trust you will now discharge your canonical responsibilities, as you have been in receipt of my denial for several months.
Very truly yours,
(The Rev.) Mark H. Hansen, Ph.D.
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