appointment of a new rector.

And former vestry member and 40-year worshipper at St. Mark's in Smith's Parish Junior Dunstan branded organisers of a petition aimed at blocking Father William Hayward's appointment as a minority in the congregation.

Mr. Dunstan said: "There is some discontent -- I'm not going to deny that -- but it's a very small percentage.'' And he dismissed radio reports Father Hayward was not qualified. Mr. Dunstan was speaking just days before Father Hayward, selected by the church vestry and confirmed in the post by Bishop Ewen Ratteray, is due to be inducted as Rector of the parish, which has more than 200 regular worshippers.

But a petition -- signed by around 90 parishioners -- has been delivered to Bishop Ratteray protesting at the appointment of Father Hayward.

But Mr. Dunstan said: "From what I understand, on good grounds, a lot of the people who signed were not aware what they were really signing.

"They were under the impression it was a vote for a Rector of St. Mark's and since then some of them have asked for their names to be removed once they realised what it was about...A lot of the rest are part-timers.'' Other insiders claimed that the driving force behind the campaign to dump Father Hayward came from the choir.

Mr. Dunstan declined to become involved in a slanging match with church factions.

But he said: "I will support Bill Hayward and give him all the help I can because I'm sure he will be a very good Rector -- he is a born Bermudian and he is qualified.'' Mr. Dunstan added that Anglican congregations traditionally preferred their priests to be married, so a wife could help out with parish work. And he said that St. Mark's had had married priests in living memory, while Father Hayward is unmarried.

But he asked: "What would have happened if Jesus had applied? I just want the church to get on and for people to act in a true Christian manner.

"The majority are behind Bill Hayward -- and they want to get on with their worship.'' Father Hayward won a two-horse race for the St. Mark's job after filling in at the parish for several months after the departure of Father Robert Thacker.

APPOINTMENT APP