July 29, 2025
Brothers and Sisters,
Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The past few days have presented great challenges for our Anglican Church. As you may be aware, on Friday, a now-former employee of the province who was assisting in the prosecution for the ecclesiastical trial that is currently before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, widely circulated a letter to individual members and clergy across the province that levels serious but misguided allegations against me, the provincial Chancellor, the Executive Director of the Province, and the Court. The letter suggests that we acted unethically and compromised the integrity of the Church. These accusations have sent a wave of pain, confusion, and division rippling across our province.
In response, on Monday, I convened the two standing governing bodies of our Church – the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee – to evaluate the allegations and accusations against me and my staff in light of all available documentation and information and to ask them to determine what steps are necessary to guide the Church forward at this time. Attached is a joint statement from the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee expressing their collective discernment from those meetings.
We continue to seek to uphold and abide by the canons the Church has given us to address disciplinary matters in a way that balances appropriate levels of transparency with the need to protect the integrity of the process, pursue justice for victims, and ensure a fair and impartial hearing for the accused. While it is tempting to refute and rebut inaccuracies and misinformation, we do not feel it is appropriate to litigate these complex matters in public while a case is still open before the Court.
Over these same few days, we have also heard joyful news of 300+ children and teenagers from 4th grade through college worshipping and serving together at Camp Araminta in Florida, we’ve heard from Christ Church Academy that they will celebrate the grand opening of their new lower school today, and we’ve received encouraging ministry updates from clergy and youth groups returning from missions trips to Mexico, Rwanda, Honduras and other corners of the world, providing joy and encouragement in the work God is doing.
These are the paradoxes that I and other provincial leaders are always seeking to faithfully hold in truth and humility, trusting that the Lord is at work in all things to serve and strengthen the work of His Church.
We ask for your continued prayers for a speedy and just resolution to the current trial, for wisdom for the elected members serving on the Court, and for peace and comfort for all victims who are suffering most of all. I invite you also to join me in praying this prayer for the Church from our 2019 Book of Common Prayer:
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
In the promise and hope of Christ Jesus,
The Most Reverend Stephen D. Wood
Archbishop, Anglican Church in North America
READ JOINT STATEMENT FROM COLLEGE OF BISHOPS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Reference Note:
The Executive Committee is a 12-member body of clergy and lay members elected by the Provincial Council that handles key administrative, financial, and legislative preparation tasks between full meetings of the Provincial Council. It operates similarly to a non-profit Board of Directors.
The College of Bishops comprises all bishops in active episcopal ministry within the province. Its chief work is the propagation and defense of the Faith and Order of the Church and to serve as a visible sign and expression of the unity of the Church
The Court for the Trial of a Bishop is an independent body composed of 7 members – 3 bishops, 2 presbyters (priests), and 2 Adult Members in Good Standing – who are elected by the Provincial Council for having a reputation for fairness and integrity. The president of the Court falls to the most senior bishop who is actively serving.
