“To state the matter carefully: ACNA is in profound trouble, and I do not think that the people in charge of ACNA see how much trouble we are in,” Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Canon Theologian Kendall Harmon wrote to his diocesan standing committee on October 29 in a letter widely circulated across the ACNA. Harmon, a senior clergyman who served multiple tours as a deputy to Episcopal General Convention when his diocese was within the Episcopal Church, has a reputation as a reserved introvert and judicious thinker not prone to rash pronouncement….

A hearing panel convened by the Dean of the Province (Dobbs) will evaluate the presentment to determine if it meets the criteria to move forward to a trial.

Harmon is among those stressing that the complaints against Wood are not the extent of the crisis.

“I appreciate the college of Bishops starting to do the right thing, even though it’s late but they need to realize that,” Harmon told IRD. “We need a process we can trust. Communication and transparency need to be vastly improved, and quickly. Both the [Diocese of the Upper Midwest Bishop Stuart] Ruch fiasco and this mess are but symptoms. What does that tell you about the disease?”

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As Archbishop Steve Wood is suspended by the senior-most bishops of @The_ACNA. Some are stressing that complaints against Wood are not the extent of a crisis of trust. https://t.co/Mffu3ORkE1

— Jeff Walton (@jeffreyhwalton) November 17, 2025

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 or 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 active senior diocesan bishops of the College (excluding the Archbishop and the Dean), 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.

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Abp. Wood's inhibition has taken place with the consent of the five active senior diocesan bishops: pic.twitter.com/FcnaGfX0Y0

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 17, 2025

Additionally, Gross alleged in his affidavit that shortly after Wood’s election as archbishop, he grew “obsessive” about a possible presentment against him. Gross wrote that he’d heard a “credible report” of Wood and the denomination’s previous dean, Bishop Ray Sutton, having a conversation in which they were “floating the possibility” of a “bishop-friendly” Board of Inquiry, the church body that determines whether a presentment warrants an ecclesiastical trial.

When The Post first reported that allegation on Nov. 7, Sutton gave a statement “firmly” denying that “any such conversation ever occurred.” But on Saturday, Sutton resigned as dean, and in a statement he walked back his denial: “My intent was to express that I could not recall such a conversation ever taking place, and I apologize for stating that incorrectly.”

Aside from the allegations against Wood, the denomination’s priests and parishioners also are upset about how the accusations entered the public domain. Priests and former staff at Wood’s church in South Carolina who wrote the presentment said they initially sought the endorsements of numerous bishops. The denomination requires that presentments be signed and sworn to by either three bishops or a mix of 10 parishioners and priests.

Their presentment was ultimately offered to four bishops, but they turned the South Carolina group down. Chip Edgar, the bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, wrote a letter Thursday to parishioners disclosing his early involvement and saying he supports the presentment and its authors.

“I acknowledge it didn’t always seem like I did — I’ve apologized to them and sought their forgiveness, which they have generously given — but I do,” Edgar wrote.

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The archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct against two women, was suspended from his duties leading the 16-year-old denomination.https://t.co/MbLlKdbouB

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 17, 2025

On Friday with our clergy, and then briefly on Saturday with the whole Synod, I shared that I am one of the bishops identified by The Washington Post who was initially approached but did not read the presentment regarding Archbishop Steve Wood. I have communicated this to several bishops, including two senior bishops in the College, to our diocesan Standing Committee, and, as of yesterday, to the entire College of Bishops.

When I was approached this spring by Bishop Chip Edgar of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina (ADOSC) and later by one of the clergy complainants from the same diocese, I made the decision not to read the complaint. The information given to me at the time was verbal and limited. I understood there to be a group of complainants with experiences dating back many years connected to St. Andrew’s Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC, along with a more recent allegation from a woman staff member involving an unwanted advance but not physical contact. This is what I believed I was responding to.

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Remorseful Bp. Warner calls for Archbishop Wood’s Inhibition https://t.co/nnjBhes5CB via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) November 17, 2025

Holy God, who didst endow thy servant Hugh of Lincoln with wise and cheerful boldness, and taught him to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes: Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of thy mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of thee, may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St Hugh of #Lincoln (feast day today, d. 1200), with his tame swan of Stow. Richard I said: If all bishops were like this one, no king would dare to lift up his head against them. pic.twitter.com/LOKd7ggii4

— Louise J. Wilkinson (@MedievalFemina) November 17, 2017

O Lord and Father, to whom alone the debtors in ten thousand talents can come with hope of mercy: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, who have aught to repay; forgive us all the debt, forgive us all our sins, and make us merciful to others; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli’jah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli’jah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

–Matthew 17:1-8