The controversial vicar of St. Mark's is battling on despite a delegation of church elders begging him to resign last night.

Church Warden William S. Zuill said five of the six members of the vestry asked Rev. William Hayward to go, with one abstention.

Mr. Zuill said: "He declined. We then passed a motion we will forward to the Bishop and the Bishop's review committee. That's what we will do next week."

Church numbers at St. Mark's have dwindled as worshippers complained Rev. Hayward regularly turned up late, gave uninspiring sermons and failed to tackle the church's huge debt.

Around 30 members of the Smith's church met in November and called for Rev. Hayward to go. The controversy at the Smith's parish church is now in its third year.

Mr. Zuill said he wasn't surprised Rev. Hayward had chosen to fight on. "I have talked to him about resigning but he indicated he would not. He's stuck to his guns."

The Royal Gazette understands Rev. Hayward has been ill. Mr. Zuill said: "The rector has some reasons for not doing the kind of job we hoped he would do. I wish he would accept it."

"I would stress we are not against him as in individual but we feel he's not successful in his functions. But he feels he can bring the church around and increase attendance at services."

Mr. Zuill said there had been some reduction in the debt. But he added: "We still owe a great deal of money."

One fed-up former church member said Bishop Ewan Ratteray should also step down.

He said: "The Bishop knows all about this, he's had all the details clearly given to him months ago.

"Ultimately it's up to the Bishop to do something. He's lost a lot of credibility as far as I am concerned and a lot of other people too.

"Not only Rev Hayward should resign, the Bishop should resign too."

The worshipper said even Rev. Hayward's former supporters such as Mr. Zuill had now lost faith in him.

He said Rev. Hayward lacked charisma. "Now he's been mentored. When a man of 60 has to be mentored it's a bit late in life.

"He's hanging on because he thinks it's his calling. Even his relatives say he's completely stubborn and will fight anything.

"I knew before he was hired it wouldn't work but a lot of people said give him a chance because he's Bermudian."

The Royal Gazette could not reach Rev. Hayward last night.