Bishop Seabury Church

3/31/05 Letter to Congregation

March 31, 2005

TO THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF BISHOP SEABURY CHURCH

We wish to inform you of recent developments in which the Rector of Bishop Seabury Church has become the target of increasing pressure and threats from our Bishop, Andrew D. Smith. In his most recent communication, which we received a few days ago, the Bishop accused Father Ronald S. Gauss without explanation or elaboration, of having abandoned the communion of the Church, and he proceeded to threaten further action which would bring harm to Father Gauss, our parish, and our mission.

As our parishioners and friends know well, Father Gauss has not, nor would he ever abandon communion with the Church. Evidence of Bishop Seabury Church's good faith can be seen in our intention to exercise our right to receive adequate Episcopal oversight as envisioned by the Primates the leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion. We would respectfully remand the Bishop, however, that such oversight must be deemed adequate by the people receiving it, and not just by the authorities administering it.

Unfortunately, to date at least, the Bishop's offers of pastoral care have fallen woefully short of what would be deemed adequate given the crisis confronting our church in Connecticut, our country, and across the Anglican Communion. The current crisis was not precipitated by any falling away from the faith by Bishop Seabury Church, but rather, by the actions of the General Convention of 2003, and by the Bishop's participation in the controversial consecration of V. Gene Robinson.

As the Primates have stated, clearly and firmly, these are the actions that form the basis of the ''clear theological dispute'' that divides us, and they have yet to be addressed by Bishop Smith.

The Primates have called for a Panel of Reference to ensure that parishes such as Bishop Seabury Church receive adequate oversight. That would seem to us to be a more appropriate and gracious path to follow, and one that we can hope and be confident would result In a greater measure of progress and good will throughout the communion.