Bishop Spong Visits Hawaii

by Donor Macneice

I was in New York in May 1996 interviewing some priests who had been nominated for Bishop of Hawaii. While I was there, I was talking with Bishop Spong, and suggested to him that it was time he came to visit me here in Hawaii. His schedule being what it is, he told me it would be August of 1997 before he could make it, but not letting him get away, I told him that date would be fine....a year and a half away!

Since that time, our diocese has been excited at the prospect of his visit. In the weeks prior to his arrival, churches headlined his visit in their newsletters and bulletins, citing his stance on women's and gay issues. "He is the most controversial bishop in the Anglican Communion," the newsletters said.

Although I invited him, his visit was sponsored jointly by the biggest congregation in the diocese, St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu, and the smallest church in the diocese, St. Thomas' in Hanalei on Kauai of which I am vicar. In Honolulu, the Cathedral arranged for the bishop to lecture at the Tenney Theater. A capacity crowd of almost 400 people came to hear him not quite knowing what to expect.

Many thought it would be a lecture by an angry bishop condemning many things but exactly what, they didn't know. Instead they found an extremely relaxed bishop with a tremendous sense of humor with whom they could not disagree on any point.

At the end of his one-hour lecture he was given a unanimous standing ovation which continued for a full two and a half minutes until the bishop signalled the people to sit.

The Bishop and Mrs. Spong flew back to Kauai with me and stayed with me for four days. Kauai is not known for having well-known lecturers on church matters coming to speak, but a larger than expected number of people came to hear the bishop lecture at St. Michael & All Angels' Church in Lihue, and on the Sunday he preached at St. Thomas' Church to an overflow congregation. As for me -- I have never seen either the Bishop or his wife in such a relaxed mood for all of his stay. They seemed to revel in the friendliness of the people here and the warm welcome that they were given by members of the congregation who opened their houses to them. Away from all church activities, books and diocesan "business" the Spongs enjoyed the beach, were officially welcomed by the Mayor of Kauai, dined in many places with many members of congregations, and wandered through taro wet-fields learning how the local people do their farming. Many times I wished I had a video, for I believe that a lot of people in the Diocese of Newark see their bishop under "formal" circumstances, and would be interested to see him in a totally relaxed context.

From here the Spongs flew off to Australia, and since they left, the only comments I have heard about his visit are "When are the Spongs coming back?" Can you ask the Bishop to come and do a series of lectures?" Your Bishop and his wife certainly won the hearts of the people out here.

Donor Macneice is vicar of St. Thomas', Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii. He served congregations in the Dioceses of Newark and New Jersey from 1983 to 1992.

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