News & Updates on Archbishop Wood

January 13, 2026- Inhibition extended

Having received consent from the five senior bishops, Bishop Dobbs, as Dean of the province, extended the inhibition issued to Archbishop Steve Wood on November 16, 2025 pending resolution of ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

December 12, 2025 – Board of Inquiry Issues Decision

The Board of Inquiry’s final decision will be referred to the Court of the Trial for a Bishop for trial.
This page will be updated as additional details become available, including a trial date.

November 16, 2025 – The Inhibition of Archbishop Wood

A presentment against Archbishop Wood has been referred to a Board of Inquiry that was impanelled earlier this month. A Board of Inquiry is established to investigate reports and charges brought against an accused person. In their work, the members of the Board hear the accusations, evaluate the testimony and supporting evidence, and then determine whether, upon the matters of law and fact presented to them, there are reasonable grounds to pursue an ecclesiastical trial.

Following a Presentment received by the College of Bishops, and with the written consent of the five senior diocesan bishops of the College, determined by date of admission, On Sunday, November 16 Bishop Julian Dobbs who serves as Dean of the Province, inhibited Archbishop Stephen D. Wood from the exercise of ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in North America, in accordance with the canons of our Church.

The inhibition document may be found here.

While an inhibition is a suspension from the exercise of ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in North America, this action does not determine guilt or innocence, nor does it pre-judge any allegation or any future proceeding. He will continue to be paid during this time.

Update – Bishop Sutton Resigns as Dean of the Province; Bishop Dobbs Appointed as new Dean

At the College of Bishops meeting on November 15, 2025, The Most Reverend Ray Sutton resigned as Dean of the Province. Bishop Julian Dobbs was appointed as the new Dean of the Province. You can read more detail about these changes here.

Original Summary of Events

On November 3, 2025, Archbishop Stephen Wood announced his decision to take a voluntary and temporary paid leave of absence from his role as Archbishop of the Province and Diocese of the Carolinas pending the resolution of proceedings to address recent allegations brought against him. He also announced his previously planned retirement as Rector of St. Andrew’s Parish in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

While the investigation proceeds, Archbishop Wood will step aside from all official duties and responsibilities to avoid any distraction from the Church’s mission and to uphold the integrity of this process. Bishop Ray Sutton, who serves as Dean of the Province, will assume all canonical responsibilities and duties of the office of the Archbishop during this time. Bishop Julian Dobbs has been appointed and confirmed as Dean of Provincial Affairs to assist Bishop Sutton. The College of Bishops and the Executive Committee approved these arrangements.

On November 7, 2025, to ensure the utmost objectivity in these proceedings, Bishop Sutton formally recused himself from all matters pertaining to Archbishop Wood’s Board of Inquiry and any subsequent disciplinary process that may result. Bishop Sutton appointed Bishop Dobbs to form a 3-member panel of bishops to represent the Dean of the Province in any action he may be permitted or required to take in the investigation of allegations made against Archbishop Wood. This panel will review and approve the composition of the Board of Inquiry to ensure its impartiality and receive its report.