"Dear Bishop Smith, I pray for your return to traditional Episcopal principles and morals," said one.

"I stand behind him 100 percent - I stand behind all of the six priests," said Eleanor Little, 73, a longtime parish member. "[Hansen] stands for the truth, and for tradition - it's about what the Bible says. It's been that way for a long time and we don't want it changed."

Hansen and the other embattled priests were each joined in their pulpits Sunday by rectors from as far away as Texas, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. They are members of the Anglican Communion Network, an organization of conservative clergy who oppose the Episcopal Church's election of an openly gay bishop and what they believe is movement away from traditional church teaching.

Smith and the six priests have been at a standoff for nearly a year, unable to reach an agreement that would allow them to report to a bishop other than Smith, who supported the election of the openly gay bishop. The impasse led Smith to notify each priest two weeks ago that an elected body of the diocese had determined that they were "out of communion with the canons of the church."

The priests could have been dismissed on Friday, but Smith instead sent a letter that evening asking the six priests to meet with him today.

The Rev. William Murdoch, rector of All Saints Church in West Newbury, Mass., came to St. John's in support of Hansen. He preached a sermon about those who suffer unjustly.

"You are not alone," Murdoch said, "We give thanks for your mission and courage. We support you and will stand with you to the very end."

While conservative evangelical churches such as St. John's are in the minority in the U.S. Episcopal Church, Murdoch, dean of the Anglican network's New England convocation, told the St. John's congregation that the organization represented thousands who are in solidarity with them.

He read a letter to Smith that was signed by 17 conservative Episcopal bishops.

"The clergy and people of the six parishes now in sustained conflict with [Smith] are in full communion with us ... they preach and teach what we preach and teach. It would be impossible for us to recognize any inhibition or deposition placed on them."

In addition to Hansen, the rectors involved in the dispute with Smith are the Rev. Christopher Leighton of St. Paul's Church in Darien; the Rev. Ronald Gauss of Bishop Seabury Church in Groton; the Rev. Allyn Benedict of Christ Church in Watertown; the Rev. Gill Wilkesof Christ and the Epiphany in East Haven; and the Rev. Donald Helmandollar of Trinity Church in Bristol.

Hansen said Smith's letter asking to meet with the six rectors as a group - which they requested a year ago - made him optimistic.

"The bishop can't help but be influenced by the outpouring of support for us," Hansen said. "We are delighted ... we have always felt that these issues are not isolated issues, but broad issues. I can only see this as positive development."

The turmoil for conservative Episcopalians began long before the election of V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, said Tammy Vogt, a member of parish vestry. And the fight with Smith has had some parishioners worried that they would lose their church, because most would leave if Hansen were replaced, she said.

Vogt acknowledged that St. John's had lost some members who feared the controversy meant the church was anti-gay.

"But we've also gained them," Vogt said. "People think this is about sexuality. It's not. It's about following the word of the Lord. It's about the Bible, and the Bible is very clear on this."

During the worship service, Hansen, who will go on sabbatical for the next few months, sat in a pew with his wife, Ceil, and their sons. In the community room after the service, about 30 people encircled the couple while Murdoch led the group in prayer.

"As of yesterday, I thought I was going to be deprived of my right to return. It's been a painful and challenging situation that affects the core of my being," Hansen said. "I've been a priest for 20 years, and rector here for 15 years. This is my life. To know there is this circle of fellow believers who will be there for us is wonderfully reassuring."

Copyright 2005, Hartford Courant

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