However Ms Rodgers, a member of the Anglican Church's ecumenical working group, says the sentiments of the Declaration Dominus Iesus that the then Cardinal Ratzinger authored in 2000, should concern Bible-believing Christians.

"Dominus Iesus contains clear affirmation of Jesus Christ and Scriptural quotes about his person and work. Yet, biblical Christians can't agree that salvation through Christ can be found in the Catholic Church only," she writes.

"Obviously Bishop Smith's interpretation of events differs greatly from ours," said the Rev. Christopher Leighton, rector of St. Paul's, Darien.

"His intention for the meeting was to name his charge against us and argue his case in order to gain support from diocesan clergy. Once more, however, his accusation of abandonment of communion remains unfounded, and he has still offered no evidence."

Citing examples from the dioceses of Kansas, Lexington, Los Angeles and Pennsylvania, the bishops described to Archbishop Williams an Episcopal Church in “continued decline” with average Sunday attendance expected to drop “below 800,000 in 2004.”

In a voice mail to The Inquirer, Melnyk said he had removed the Druid group's Web site from the Internet and was cutting his ties with Druid spirituality. He attributed his decision to "events that have transpired in the last 24 hours."

Melnyk did not elaborate, and said he would not comment further. He and his wife left over the weekend for a vacation abroad and were not available for comment.