The consecrations have generated controversy because they pose a direct challenge to the authority of existing Episcopal bishops, and opponents say they strike at the very heart of Anglican church structure. Murphy expressed his intention to remain as rector of All Saints in a message he sent to the church from Singapore. Salmon says in his letter he will have to check whether Anglican church law allows a bishop to be a priest. Obviously the office of bishop is now his status, therefore in reality, he is not a priest of this diocese. I will have to depend on the Chancellor to work these matters out canonically.
Canons are records of church law.
To do so will require my permission and license. The bishop said through his secretary Monday that he would not be able to say anything more at this time. Murphy was out of the office Monday and did not return a phone message. Salmon also says in the letter he told Murphy recently that if All Saints tried to leave the diocese, the church's property would remain with the diocese. He says he talked with Murphy about the possible property dispute because Murphy had told a newspaper in September 1998 that attorneys had told him All Saints could keep its property if it left the diocese.