By Raymond Hainey Stay-away parishioners yesterday failed to cast a shadow over the installation of a new Anglican priest at a Smith's parish church.

For hundreds turned out to welcome Father William Hayward to his new church -- despite a no-show by the church choir and a host of parishioners protesting at the appointment.

But Fr. Hayward was upbeat after the service -- and held out an olive branch to St. Mark's rebels.

He said: "The service was tremendous, overwhelming -- I'm very grateful for that wonderful support and I'm looking forward to ministering here.'' And the new Rector of St. Mark's had a a message for churchgoers who failed to turn up. He said: "Come and join us -- I have no ill feelings. Everybody has a right to think the way they think and I respect that view.

"But I do invite all of them -- now that I'm here -- to come and join me.'' The standing-room only service was assisted by a choir drummed up at short notice from other parishes around the Island.

And the visitors to the church appeared to vastly outnumber the parishioners -- although churchwardens declined to comment on how many were missing from the ranks.

And senior Churchwarden Gerald Smith said: "Things went very well -- as far as I'm concerned, the Holy Spirit was in this church and the people of Bermuda, not just St. Mark's Church, but from Somerset to St. George's, came out and supported Fr. Bill.'' Packed house gives warm welcome to Hayward will get on with the job we are supposed to do as the family of St. Mark's.'' And he echoed Fr Hayward: "The door of St. Mark's is always open -- to anyone.'' Fr. Hayward was picked by the church vestry and confirmed by Anglican Bishop Ewan Ratteray.

But angry parishioners claimed the selection process was too secretive -- although they conceded it was within the rules.

And they insisted that Fr. Hayward did not meet the requirements -- including the fact that many churchgoers wanted a married priest, traditional at St.

Mark's, and that he did not have sufficient experience in parish work.

Rebels organised a petition against the appointment which attracted around 90 names out of a total parish roll of about 200 -- and many pledged to go elsewhere if Fr. Hayward got the job.

And a threat to appeal over the heads of the Anglican hierarchy in Bermuda to the Anglican faith's top churchman, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is still hanging over the parish.

Other parishioners, however, threw their weight behind Fr. Hayward -- and said most parishioners only wanted to get on with their worship.

In 1997, Fr. Hayward landed at the centre of a court case when a magistrate ruled that a letter sent to a senior churchman was defamatory. A parishioner at Pembroke St. John's was bound over after admitting the facts of the case.

Fr. Hayward said then that the letter cost him the parish of St. John's and probably a post in Paget as well.

Bishop Ratteray told the congregation yesterday that he had been upset by opposition to Fr. Hayward among some at St. Mark's.

He said: "I'm deeply saddened by the division which arisen.

"I'm sorry some have felt so strongly about this that they have not come out this afternoon and may have transferred their allegiance elsewhere.

"People are entitled to their opinion and have every right to express it, but I would question the wisdom of playing this out in the media.'' Bishop Ratteray said: "It was not easy to anticipate what would happen here today in terms of numbers.

"I'm glad so many of you here came to show support in this new ministry.'' He added: "We celebrate the new beginning of a ministry to the people of this parish.'' And -- in a reference to the row which has rocked the church -- he told churchgoers that a priest did not do the job on his own, but with his parish.

Bishop Ratteray said: "It's important all members of this parish give him every support and encouragement.'' And he added: "Charity should govern every word and action -- if at any time we find this is not the case, repentance is necessary.'' He said: "The processes may not be perfect, but it was in no way illegitimate -- nothing, to my knowledge, was done which was inappropriate.'' And he added Fr. Hayward was qualified to serve as Rector of St. Mark's and added he had been chosen for the job by the vestry.'' The Bishop said: "I confirmed this decision because there was no reason not to so.'' And he insisted: "Fr. William will be able to do good things here -- there is a job to be done in this place and that job can only be done if priests and people are at one with each other.

"There's no room for egotism, game plays or power plays.'' Among the top dignitaries who attended the service were Governor Thorold Masefield and wife Jennifer, Premier Jennifer Smith, Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson, Finance Minister Eugene Cox and Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox. From the Opposition, MPs John Barritt, Allan Marshall and Cole Simons were among those who showed up.

The Premier earlier -- at the annual PLP Founder's Day lunch -- expressed her support for Fr. Hayward and Ms Cox used the floor of the House of Assembly on Friday to back the priest.

During the institution ceremony at St. Mark's, Bishop Ratteray said: "It is a new beginning because William brings particular gifts to our ministry together.'' He added later that as Fr. Hayward had been "duly nominated to us and his character and conduct properly commended, it our purpose to admit him to this cure.''