Spong Predicts Sun Has Set on Episcopal Synod of America
Episcopal News Service. October 5, 1994 [94168B]
In a column in the diocesan newspaper dealing with the debate in the House of Bishops over the ordination of women, Bishop John Spong predicted that "the sun has set on the Episcopal Synod of America." He took issue with the argument of ESA bishops in Ft. Worth, Quincy, Eau Claire and San Jaoquin who resist implementing the 1976 canon opening all orders of ministry to women. "They claimed that the sanctity of their consciences prevented them from doing what they believe would be wrong. They seemed not to recognize that the whole church has been in the past and is today quite willing to respect their consciences. What the church is not willing to respect is their right to impose their consciences on the entire membership of their dioceses." He added that "the rhetoric of the Synod bishops at Indianapolis was the swansong of their mentality in this branch of the Anglican church." He contended that "the Anglican Communion everywhere will have women priests. It will not be long before even Rome will follow our lead."