the announcement in the media of Canon John Diehl's appointment to residentiary Canon. "The premature and unauthorised announcement had the effect of causing unnecessary confusion and I am more than a little concerned that matters of a confidential nature are treated so lightly in our society,'' Bishop Ratteray said in a one-page press release.

"The announcement on the media that Canon John Diehl was the new Residentiary Canon of the Cathedral did not originate from my office, nor was it authorised by me.'' Bishop Ratteray said he was in no position to make an announcement about a new Canon for the Cathedral for three main reasons.

Firstly, contrary to the report in the Bermuda Sun, he said the application for a work permit for American Canon Diehl had yet to be granted.

Secondly, Bishop Ratteray said the Cathedral congregation should have been the first to know the identity of their new Canon.

And thirdly, he added, he felt it would have been appropriate and courteous to wait until after Canon Francis' Induction as Rector of Devonshire which will occur on December 19.

But when contacted yesterday for further details on the appointment, Bishop Ratteray declined to comment.

News of the appointment was first reported on VSB News on Thursday night.

Yesterday, the Bermuda Sun reported that Canon Diehl left Bermuda last year to take up a post in Pennsylvania after Immigration refused to renew his work permit for St. Paul's.

Canon Francis said he did not consider the fact that Bishop Ratteray did not want him as Canon Residentiary to be "a slap in the face''.

"The Bishop needs people for the next 15 years. I am not the man he selected,'' he told the Sun.

Bishop Ewen Ratteray