WASHINGTON — Episcopalians opposed to a homosexual bishop's consecration are preparing to engage in widespread disobedience to church law in 2004, according to a confidential document outlining their strategy.

The Washington Post, which obtained the document, reported that conservatives intend to severely challenge the authority of Episcopal bishops, and expect that both civil lawsuits and ecclesiastical charges against dissenting priests will result.

The six-page strategy paper was confirmed as authentic by its principal author, the Rev. Geoff Chapman, pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Sewickley, Pa., the newspaper reported.

James Solheim, a spokesman for Episcopal Church USA, called the document "very provocative," and said the strategy it outlines "is going to plunge us into litigation for decades."

The document, dated Dec. 28, is addressed to Episcopalians who have contacted the American Anglican Council, a Washington-based group marshaling opposition to the Nov. 2 consecration of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson.

His election sparked international protests from Anglicans who view it as a unilateral American rejection of biblical injunctions against homosexuality.

The document says the American Anglican Council's Strategy Committee worked for months to win permission for traditionalist bishops to oversee congregations that are unhappy under their current, more liberal bishops.

"Our ultimate goal," it says, is a "replacement jurisdiction … closely aligned with the majority of world Anglicanism."

Chapman told the newspaper traditionalists hope their network will supplant the Episcopal Church USA as the recognized U.S. offshoot of the 75 million-member Anglican Communion.

The strategy outlined calls for conservative parishes to announce their relationship with their diocesan bishop is "severely damaged." They would seek the care of a more orthodox U.S. or foreign bishop but not engage in legal confrontations over church property.

In a second stage, traditionalists would seek "negotiated settlements" over property and the right to have like-minded priests and bishops. If settlements cannot be reached, "faithful disobedience of canon law on a widespread basis may be necessary."