Pressing On
Priest Still Seeking 'Relief' From Bishop
By Brian J. Foster

In a recent ruling that was dismissed by a federal judge involving the role of gays in the Episcopal church, the six priests who filed the lawsuit against Connecticut Bishop Andrew D. Smith are appealing the decision.

The Rev. Christopher Leighton, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Mansfield Avenue, said the "Connecticut Six"—a group he is apart of and is a term used to designate the opposing priests—feel they are continuing to be "marginalized and pushed aside" in wake of the court's decision.
"Nobody wanted it to go this far," Leighton said. "We're not trying to punish the bishop by appealing the decision; we just want relief from under his leadership."

U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton dismissed the lawsuit against the bishop "without prejudice," concluding that the state had no business in the priests' concerns. However, Leighton and the rest of the group contend that the decision is in no way final, and after contemplating filing another lawsuit in a state courtroom the "Connecticut Six" decided to make the appeal in a second circuit federal court. the rest