Despite dwindling numbers and the continued church infighting surrounding St. Mark's Anglican Church Rev. William Hayward, supporters of the church leader said they are confident that he will whether the storms of controversy.

But on the Sunday before Christmas, it was noticeable that the division between the church members at the Smiths Parish venue had resulted in less than 50 parishioners in attendance at a church that can seat up 200 people or more.

However, despite all the negativity, loyal churchgoers said they respect the courage of Fr. Hayward, calling him "a brave soldier of God to endure the naysayers who are trying to push him out of the church".

In February 2000, the Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray chose Fr. Hayward to head up St. Mark's, after Rev. Robert Thacker left in 1999.

And the move had outraged close to 100 "rebel" church goers, who tried to block the appointment, because they said Fr. Hayward was not experienced and was not married. And in May this year, there was a motion of no confidence tabled by five members of the church's vestry on Fr. Hayward, which sought to have him removed from the church. However, no vote resulted in that decision.

But church sources say the "obvious" diminished numbers were part of "political infighting" in the church, because they did not want a Bermudian in the post. At the time of Fr. Hayward's appointment last year, Bishop Ratteray expressed sadness at the division among church members and hoped the tensions would be temporary.

However when contacted on Sunday and asked if he was aware and concerned about the shortfall in the numbers of church goers, the Bishop told The Royal Gazette: "All I will say is that it is an internal matter and it will be handled appropriately."

Bishop Ratteray also would not comment on what action, if any would be taken and what time frame it would be in.

Meanwhile, Fr. Hayward declined to comment on the matter, but Opposition MP Allan Marshall, who regularly attends the St. Mark's services said he does not understand what the "beef" is about. "I've stayed out of getting involved myself," he said. "It's not a secret that the numbers are down quite a bit from the old days - I don't know what the rational reasons are - if there are other issues, then they need to take it up with the Anglican Church.

He continued: I just don't know what the beef is. I enjoy going to the church, I continue to go to the church with my wife and children and I would continue to go even if he wasn't there. The church is there as an institution, it's not just about someone who stands in the pulpit."

Vestry members of the church were unavailable for comment.