Church of the Word
HANSEN FORMALLY DENIES CHARGES

Connecticut: Father Mark Hansen Formally Denies Inhibition Charges

29 July 2005

The Rev. Mark Hansen today issued a "good faith denial" to Andrew Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, making a formal declaration that he has not "abandoned the Communion of the Episcopal Church."

On Wednesday, July 13, 2005, Bishop Smith inhibited Father Hansen, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Bristol, and seized the church's property despite protests by church staff and elected leaders. Under Episcopal Church Canon Law [Title IV, Canon 10, Sec. 1], the bishop's order of inhibition bars Father Hansen from serving his congregation and exercising his ordained ministry.

The bishop cited "abandonment of Communion" as grounds for his action, a charge Father Hansen has consistently denied, and Bishop Smith has not disclosed facts to support his claims. The six-month inhibition could ultimately result in the bishop's deposing Father Hansen.

During the six-month period, Section Two of Canon 10 allows for a clergy person who is inhibited to provide a written and signed statement representing "a good faith denial" of specific declarations or actions upon which the inhibition is based. Church law is clear that if the bishop is "reasonably satisfied" that such a statement "constitutes a good faith denial" the bishop "shall withdraw the notice and the Inhibition shall expire." Given the fact that the bishop has failed to provide evidence to corroborate his charges, and in light of Father Hansen's statement of denial, it is hoped that Bishop Smith will immediately lift the inhibition.

Bishop Smith has been the center of a strong theological dispute with St. John's as well as five other churches in his diocese, and each congregation has appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury for alternative oversight as called for by the Primates of the Anglican Communion. Bishop Smith has for two months threatened inhibition of the so-called "Connecticut Six" clergy for "abandonment of Communion". Orthodox leaders in the Episcopal Church have strongly condemned Bishop Smith's recent actions against Father Hansen as an unfounded and unsubstantiated abuse of canon law.

This article comes from the Connecticut Six
http://www.ctsix.org/

The URL for this story is:
http://www.ctsix.org/1/2005/07/Press-Release-Father-Mark-Hansen-Formally-Denies-Inhibition-Charges.cfm