The alliance provided a copy of the document with its e-mail news release. The Times-Union could not reach Howard's spokesman for comment Friday.

The six men, together with most of their congregations, object to what they see as the Episcopal Church USA's increasingly liberal stance on homosexuality and other matters of Scripture. For many of them, years of dissatisfaction with the American denomination came to a head in 2003 when an openly gay priest was elected Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.

Since then, priests, parishes and individuals across the denomination and in Howard's North Florida diocese have joined more-conservative, overseas bishops in the Anglican Communion, an international fellowship of which the Episcopal Church is a member.

The denomination's position is that it is heeding Scripture by following Jesus' example of compassion toward all people, in this case gays and lesbians. In previous interviews, Howard has said he is an orthodox bishop intent on keeping his diocese in both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

Sandifer, rector of Calvary Anglican Church in Jacksonville, said Howard's action has few practical implications for the priests and their parishes because they remain in good standing with their new bishops and dioceses.

Some of the priests, however, may not be able to continue contributing to their pension funds, Sandifer said.

One priest who was not deposed is the Rev. Neil Lebhar, rector of Redeemer Anglican Church in Jacksonville, who was among the first group to align with foreign leaders.

Lebhar declined to comment, but Sandifer said he may have been left off the list because he is being sued by Howard over who owns the Southside property where Redeemer worships.

jeffrey.brumley@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4310

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/120906/met_6717140.shtml.