Anglican Communion Network Responds to Archbishop Peter Carnley
Archbishop Peter Carnley, Chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference, in his press release of May 29, 2006, was factually incorrect in some of his statements. The Rev. Canon Daryl Fenton, Chief Operating Officer of the Anglican Communion Network, is not now and never has been the official designee of the Connecticut Six for sending or receiving communiqués from the Panel of Reference, nor has he ever claimed to be so.
Canon Fenton, on behalf of Bishop Robert Duncan, Moderator of the Network, wrote to Chris Smith, assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, in September 2005, to provide him copies of applications made by the Connecticut Six through official channels. This was to ensure clear communication to the Archbishop of Canterbury, but made no claims of official representation.
The communiqués that Archbishop Carnley claims were sent to Canon Fenton in September 2005 and December 2005 were never received.
The email of March 6, 2006, received by Canon Fenton, and also addressed to Bishop of Connecticut, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith, contained a summary statement that the Panel of Reference would not review the Connecticut Six’ case. The email contained no reference that it was being sent to Canon Fenton as the official representative for the Connecticut Six, and it was not received as such.
Canon Fenton received a faxed letter from Archbishop Carnley on May 31, dated May 26, which included these erroneous “facts” that had already been released to the press by Archbishop Carnley on May 29. Canon Fenton replied to Archbishop Carnley on the 1st of June suggesting he contact Ralph DuPont, the designated representative and attorney of record for the Connecticut Six. It is regrettable that Archbishop Carnley has neither replied to Canon Fenton nor contacted Mr. DuPont to date.