for divorced people.

But Bishop Ewen Ratteray -- contrary to some weekend TV and radio reports -- has not banned his priests from marrying divorcees.

And some Anglican priests believe the Bishop has made the process of marrying divorced people easier, not harder. Two priests also added that a ban on outdoor weddings or blessings was not new -- just a restatement of existing church policy.

Bishop Ratteray told his front-line troops in a special circular: "For all of my ministry I have believed that marriage is an indissoluble union of man and woman which only death has the power to terminate.

"I believe this on the basis of scripture and the tradition of the church.

Though there are some difficult cases that challenge this view, yet I hold firmly to it.'' He added: "The Anglican church in this diocese has, since 1992, authorised the remarriage of those previously married.

"This presents me with something of a difficulty as I do not approve of the same.'' But he told parish priests that he was changing the previous rules on the subject to allow parish priests to make up their own minds on couples without referring to him for a decision.

He told his priests: "As there has been some Episcopal involvement in the process heretofore, I must make clear what I require in this regard.'' Bishop Ratteray added that he must be made aware of the details in each case of marriage involving a divorced person and that no marriages are to take place without his knowledge.

And he said that the option of a blessing of a civil marriage should be explained as "a viable option'' that ought to be made known.

But Bishop Ratteray appears to apply some pressure on priests to come to the same conclusion as him about marriage and divorce.

Bishop takes a hard line He said: "Each of you acts for me in the parish situation -- I trust that I can rely upon you to act in ways that reflect such an understanding.'' He also said that the marriage of people from overseas should be "discouraged'' unless they had gone through pre-marital counselling abroad or took time to complete a course on the Island.

Yesterday, Bishop Ratteray did not return calls from The Royal Gazette -- and most of his clergy were staying tight-lipped over their interpretation of the letter.

But it is understood any divorced person wishing to remarry must satisfy a priest as to their understanding of the problems of their first marriage.

They must have made as good a reconciliation with their former spouse as possible and accepted their share of responsibility for any children.

But the Rev. Andrew Doughty of Warwick's St. Mary's said: "I don't see there is any hint of banning remarriage of divorced people.'' And he said it had always been his understanding that marriage was a Christian sacrament which should take place in a consecrated church.

But Rev. Doughty said: "There were a number of my colleagues who were prepared to do outdoor weddings.'' He added: "I am thankful for the clarity Bishop Ewen has brought to the issues and it has certainly helped me in my own ministry.'' Rev. Michael Davis of St. Anne's, Southampton, said: "The Bishop's position is that he won't marry divorced people but he allows his priests freedom to do it.'' He added he had performed outdoor weddings in the past and said that most Anglican clergy on the Island had probably done so as well.

Rev. Davis said: "I am not going to take issue with it -- I have my own feelings and I will have to come to my own decision as the days and months go on.'' And he said the Synod of the Church of England had recently agreed to allow marriage out of doors.

Rev. Robert Thacker of St. Mark's in Smith's agreed that, on divorced people, the Bishop had given each priest authority to make up their own mind.

He said: "I have had a number of phone calls from people upset because they thought their plans were all askew and it was unnecessary.'' And he said his understanding was that outdoor marriages had always been forbidden.