Episcopal Press and News

Spong Announces Plans to Retire

Episcopal News Service. February 8, 1996 [96-1385D]

(ENS) Noting that "no party lasts forever," Bishop John S. Spong of Newark announced at his diocese's annual convention, January 26, that he intends to retire following the election of a successor. "It is now my responsibility to begin to plan for a smooth transition into the third millennium for the life of this diocese," he said. At the same time, Spong, 64, who has gained an international stature and notoriety as an outspoken champion of radical causes, vowed to stay in office until he is 72 if he feels called to continue to defend the church against those he called "heresy hunters." Spong warned bishops who have charged Newark's former assistant bishop, Walter Righter, with teaching false doctrine and violating his ordination vows for ordaining a non-celibate homosexual, that should they "continue to harass me or this diocese as they now do Bishop Righter... I will renounce these transition plans." Spong called for the election of a committee to develop a profile of the diocese and report to the 1997 diocesan convention. If the convention accepts the profile committee report, Spong would then decide whether or not to call for the election of a bishop coadjutor who would serve with him for as long as two years. The election of a bishop coadjutor could be held as early as the spring or summer of 1998.