Anglican Diocesan Bishop Laish Boyd said his decision to remove I. Ranfurly Brown as archdeacon was the result of Brown's "notable infractions", and words and actions that brought disrepute to the church.

In a letter to the clergy dated January 21, 2016, Boyd said he felt it was appropriate to advise the clergy on the matter in light of his decision to remove Brown reaching the public domain prematurely and what he said was media speculation.

"Over the years the archdeacon has committed several notable infractions; he has engaged in open disrespect for the office of bishop, and has been the source of words and actions that were grossly inappropriate and injudicious," read the letter. "It is not an exaggeration to say that this has brought disrepute to the church, and hurt to many of the faithful. None of us are perfect, nor do I expect perfection.

"But as bishop, I no longer have confidence in him to perform the function of an archdeacon. As diocesan, I deserve to have persons in my Advisory Council who are supportive, cooperative, [and] whose behavior represents the office of the bishop well, and in whom I can repose confidence."

He added, "I believe it is true to say that all of us know the veracity of the issues and concerns I have raised. Let us continue in prayer and in work, and, of course, I crave and count on your continued support and prayers."

The Nassau Guardian reported last Monday that Boyd decided to remove Brown as archdeacon effective February 1. The removal was widely seen to be the result of comments Brown made at the funeral of businessman A. Bismark Coakley in August.

Brown said that Prime Minister Perry Christie showed grave "disrespect" to St. Agnes Anglican Church during the funeral. He wrote in the church's Sunday bulletin, shortly after the funeral, that he was amazed by Christie's "disrespect", noting that each speaker at the funeral was to speak for three minutes, but the speakers, including the prime minister, did not adhere to the request. But Boyd said any suggestion that the sole reason for his decision was because Brown failed to apologize to the prime minister could not be further from the truth.

Boyd said he planned to make several changes this year, and was in discussion with the people affected. He said he intended to make the first set of announcements in early to mid-February. He also said his decision was not made lightly or without "serious thought and prayer". Boyd has the right to remove and appoint archdeacons as he sees fit.

"On Thursday (January 7, 2016), I advised the Venerable Ranfurly Brown that I intend to appoint a new archdeacon of the West Central Archdeaconry, and that I would announce same in early to mid-February," read the letter. "As with other persons affected by my changes, I wanted to give him the courtesy of due notice. But no one else was privy to my decision with respect to the West Central Archdeaconry.

"It was most unfortunate that information about this diocesan administrative matter has hit the public domain prematurely with the accompanying embellishments and interpretations; that is, stating that the sole reason for my decision was archdeacon's failure to apologize to the prime minister. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Boyd said he will not publicly address the erroneous perception in the public domain at this time.

"You have a right to know that in this matter your bishop has not acted capriciously and not solely, or even largely, as a result of deference to the prime minister," he said.

When contacted yesterday, Brown declined to comment. Boyd has not announced who will replace Brown as archdeacon.

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