Thank you for the editorial on the Denver consecrations [TLC, July 15]. I agree with the statement that the way the consecrations came about makes the episcopacies of the four Americans consecrated "highly suspect." I have seen nothing in print or on the Anglican Mission (AMiA) website that tells of the selection process used.

In the "Q&A" section of the AMiA website, the executive director seeks to legitimize and justify non-geographical episcopacy by comparing it to the chaplaincies under the direction of the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Services, Healthcare, and Prison Ministries, and the Anglican churches in Europe.

As a chaplain endorsed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, I keep my canonical residence, and am responsible to my diocesan. Both diocesans and the bishops of the diocese in which the ministry is exercised get copies of chaplains' quarterly reports to Bishop Packard. In short, the authority of the diocesan bishops is acknowledged and supported.

In the case of the Anglican congregations of Europe, the overlapping Episcopal jurisdictions are clearly seen as anomalous. The College of Anglican Bishops in Continental Europe (as documented on its website) is clearly working toward a plan to unify the jurisdictions based on a vision that catholic order requires one bishop in each place, adjusted to the needs of a variety of cultures.

Finally, I find it ironic that the AMiA canons posted at its website contain the following provision: "No Bishop of this Church shall ordain, confirm or perform any other act of the episcopal office in any other jurisdiction than his own, except at the request of the bishop of such other diocese or jurisdiction, or by specific appointment of the provincial synod ..."

(The Rev.) Dean Kellerhouse

Topeka, Kan.