Wednesday, 26 April 2006

Dear Gentlemen,

Application to Panel of Reference

On behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, may I thank you for your
comprehensive letter and enclosures, dated April 18, 2006. I can
confirm that the matter is now with the Panel of Reference, and I have
written to Bishop Howard to advise him accordingly. I have also advised
the Presiding Bishop, as a matter of courtesy.

I wonder if I could ask that this message is conveyed to the other
Clergy and wardens who kindly wrote to the Archbishop back in August 2005.

One point on which some clarification may be necessary is the status
of the civil case brought by the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Florida, about which you have kindly sent us papers.

The Panel of Reference process notes (available on the ACNS website) include a request that there be a stay on any civil or ecclesiastical proceedings during the period of reference to the Panel. I would be grateful if you could let me know how we should view this situation, and whether there are some further steps that need to be taken before the Panel takes any further action.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Smith
Lambeth Palace London SEI 7JU