Hartford, USA - Six Episcopal parishes have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that their civil rights were violated by Connecticut's bishop, the head of the Episcopal Church and others.
The conflict stems from the 2003 consecration of the openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, which has divided the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The parishes had asked to be supervised by a different bishop because they disagreed with Connecticut Bishop Andrew Smith's support for Robinson. The priest for one of the parishes was subsequently suspended and five other priests have been threatened with suspension.
The lawsuit alleges that the priests were fraudulently charged and were denied due process.
The Reverend Christopher Leighton says he and his fellow priests "are being punished for upholding Biblical truth as well as Anglican teaching."