Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln and Renewer of Society
November 17, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I write to share with you several important developments in our common life together as a Province, and to do so with clarity, sobriety, and trust in the Lord who shepherds His Church.
Meeting of the College of Bishops
The College of Bishops met on November 15, 2025, by Zoom, with the Chancellor in attendance. Among discussions of other matters, the College received the resignation of the Most Reverend Ray Sutton as Dean of the Province. His written statement is attached in full below.
Thanksgiving for Bishop Sutton’s Service
We express our sincere gratitude to Bishop Sutton for his dedicated service as Dean of the Province over the past eleven years. His leadership, pastoral heart, and steady commitment to the life and mission of the Anglican Church in North America have been a blessing to the College of Bishops and to the wider Church. We are thankful for the many ways he has served Christ and His people, and we commend him to your prayers as he continues his ministry as the Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Mid-America.
Statement of the Most Reverend Ray Sutton
Dear Brother Bishops:
Given the unprecedented dynamics of the current moment, I have come to see that it is unwise for me to continue carrying the multiple roles and weighty responsibilities of serving as Dean of the Province, as well as Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Mid-America. I am, for example, undergoing serious recurrence of the back issues that had led to my needing spinal fusion surgery. Therefore, in my capacity assuming the archbishop’s responsibilities I have appointed Bishop Julian Dobbs to become the Dean. I am resigning as Dean of the Province, a position in which I have served for 11 years.
I want also to provide clarity regarding a matter that has been raised in connection with the Presentment made against Archbishop Stephen Wood. I previously denied that I took part in a conversation about the appointment of a bishop-friendly Board of Inquiry. My intent was to express that I could not recall such a conversation ever taking place, and I apologize for stating that incorrectly. My commitment has always been to an objective and independent process of inquiry. I seek to speak truthfully and conduct myself in a manner that reflects integrity in Christ. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. I am grateful, humbled, and honored to have been able to serve you.
In Christ,
+Ray
Appointment of the New Dean of the Province
With the acceptance of Bishop Sutton’s resignation and following the consultation and unanimous affirmation of the College, I have been appointed as Dean of the Province. I receive this responsibility with sincere humility and with deep dependence on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I bid your prayers for wisdom, steadfastness, and faithfulness in this season.
Inhibition of Archbishop Stephen Wood
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, I 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, on Sunday, November 16.
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.
Leadership in the Diocese of the Carolinas
Per the Constitution of the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas, Bishop David Bryan, as Bishop Suffragan, will assume the duties of Acting Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas during this period. We commend the clergy, people, and ministries of the diocese to your prayers, asking the Lord to grant them His peace, steadfastness, and grace in this season.
Reassurance for the Mission of the Province
In this season of strain and sorrow, let us fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, who remains faithful, who governs His Church with steadfast love, and who sustains His people through every trial. We reaffirm our confidence that the Lord Jesus Christ continues to build His Church. The mission and ministry of the Anglican Church in North America continues in every diocese, congregation, chaplaincy, and mission field. Our clergy and people remain steadfast in proclaiming the gospel, administering the sacraments, caring for the flock of Christ, and serving our communities.
I invite you to join me in praying for all involved in these matters, and for the peace, unity, and purity of Christ’s Church.
“The LORD is near to those who are brokenhearted and will save those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, BCP 2019)
Let us pray:
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light,
look favorably on your whole Church,
that wonderful and sacred mystery.
By the effectual working of your providence,
carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation.
Let the whole world see and know
that things which were cast down are being raised up,
and things which had grown old are being made new,
and that all things are being brought to their perfection
by him through whom all things were made,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Julian M. Dobbs
Dean of the Province
