It would appear from your article [TLC, June 16] regarding the decision of the diocesan board of the Diocese of Central Florida, that the "letter of conscience" submitted to our convention was a sign of the diocese's wholehearted approval of the measure to cut funding to the "national church," in the aftermath of the Righter trial. It passed by only six votes in convention.

I stress it was not a policy but rather a letter of conscience to be sent to the national church which stated: "Should the Episcopal Church abandon its own teaching we will in conscience be required to reconsider or rescind our pledge." Nothing in the letter specified that "Episcopal Church" meant the Righter trial court. Nothing in the letter identified the sign of what the abandonment of teaching would be. Nothing stated that "reconsider" would lead inevitably to rescinding. Many assumed that a one-day convention would be held to make such determinations at the appropriate time, but none has been held.

The diocesan board acted in knee-jerk haste much to the chagrin and embarassment of many people of our diocese and at a cost in terms of unity we've only begun to assess.

(The Rev.) Louis A. Towson

Holy Apostles' Church

Satellite Beach, Fla.