structural reality'' within the Church, a black Anglican has said in a letter to The Royal Gazette .

The view was stated by black Synod members during the church's recent debate about racism, said the correspondent, who signed the letter "A Concerned Black East End Anglican.'' The comment comes amid a public debate involving the Church and the Bermuda Times newspaper over racism in the Anglican Church.

The Times alleged racism after the Church decided not to advertise in the weekly newspaper.

The article alleged that Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Rev. William Down wanted all blacks to leave the Anglican Church and join the AME Church.

In a written response, Rev. Down said he would not comment on that "outrageous and unfounded slur.'' He pointed out that the Cathedral advertised regularly in the Times and denied another allegation that "the hierarchy of the church is practically all white and expatriate.'' The Synod had almost equal numbers of black and white members, he said.

The Archdeacon, who was white, had worked in Bermuda since 1957 and had status. The Canon Residentiary at the Cathedral and the two Canons Capitular were all black.

The Anglican Church member who wrote to The Royal Gazette said it was important to present "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth''.

"During our recent debate, the black members of Synod unanimously stated that racism is a structural reality within the Anglican Church of Bermuda, and within Bermudian society in general,'' the letter said.

It was also said "that racism was manifested in the composition of the lay and clerical `administrative hierarchy' of the church.'' The Bishop was present at the debate and knew that it was the "administrative'' hierarchy that was referred to, the letter said.

Canon Capitular was a "wholly honorary'' title with no administrative authority, traditionally conferred on the two longest-standing members of the clergy cohort.

"It is an accident of history that the two longest-serving members of clergy here are black Bermudian males,'' the letter said.

Canon Residentiary was also a largely honorary title, given to the assistant curate to the Bishop, the letter said. "The Canon Residentiary only possesses such authority as the Bishop is willing to delegate to him.'' The letter added: "The full truth of the matter is that ... the lay and ordained `administrative hierarchy' of the Anglican Church is `totally, yes absolutely', dominated by white males.

"This state of affairs is not acceptable in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society, especially when there are eminently qualified black men and women in the Anglican Church, capable and willing to fill these ordained and lay positions.'' It was not surprising that the Anglican Church would reflect a racist society, the letter said.

Asked to comment, Rev. Down did not address the specifics of the letter, but said it provided an opportunity to publicise a February 15 statement prepared by the Anglican Church Synod's Committee on Racism.

The Synod appointed a committee to investigate racism, which began work in December of 1992, made its initial report to Synod a year later, and since then has held two workshops with Synod.

"Synod accepts that a continuous effort is required to decrease the impact of racism within the church,'' the statement said. "Of particular concern is the different perception that each racial group has of particular events, practices, and policies within the church.'' The Synod made a commitment "to focus on the historical experience of groups within the Anglican Church, the power structure of the church, forms of worship, our approach to youth, and the impact a deepened spirituality will have on the elimination of prejudice and racism in our church.''