The Tolerance of the Left

Another step toward preventing free speech and thought in the Episcopal Church:

HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut Episcopal Bishop Andrew Smith on Wednesday suspended one of six priests accused of refusing to recognize his authority in the wake of Smith's support for the denomination's first openly gay bishop.

The six priests asked to be supervised by someone else after Smith announced his support for the 2003 consecration of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson. Smith on Wednesday used his power to "inhibit" the Rev. Mark Hansen, and appointed another priest to lead St. John's Church in Bristol.

The inhibition prevents Hansen from leading any congregation in Connecticut for six months. If the situation is not resolved by then, Smith can officially remove Hansen from his pulpit.

The Episcopal Church is fracturing across the country, and may recieve formal sanctions later this year from the wider Anglican Communion. We'll see.