Source: The Houston Chronicle

On July 22, 2000, The Houston Chronicle published the article entitled "Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese Remains Firm: No Women Priests." Despite the fact that the national Episcopal church accepted women into the priesthood 26 years ago, the Fort Worth diocese refuses to accept the national mandate. "We will stay and fight for the right to believe what we believe," said the Rev. Canon Charles Hough, a close associate of Fort Worth Episcopal Bishop Jack Iker. "They are asking us to do something we can't do. It's a matter of conscience for us." Bishop Iker has been one of the "leading challengers to ordaining female priests, saying it goes against his understanding of church tradition and biblical teaching." Still, Fort Worth Episcopalians are arguing it is "time for the 23-county local diocese to comply with a 26-year-old church law opening the priesthood to women." A local member of All Saints Episcopal said "Right now I feel more like a Fort Worth Episcopalian than a national Episcopalian. I love Fort Worth, but I want to be part of the whole church."