The Hammer Dropped – Archbishop Wood inhibited!

ACNA’s primate is prohibited from exercising any ordained ministry for two months

By Mary Ann Mueller

VOL Special Correspondent

www.virtueonline.org

November 18, 2025

The news was shocking but not unexpected.

The Most Rev. Steve Wood (III ACNA) has been inhibited from exercising his ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in North America after a growing clamor calling for him being denied the opportunity to continue in his ordained ministry following at least two accusations of impropriety and other lesser charges with a growing list of clergy seeking the restriction of his ability to sacramental function as a priest and/or bishop.

Bishop Julian Dobbs (I Living Word) lowered the boom Sunday after a Saturday zoom meeting of the Anglican Church in North America College of Bishops (CoB), which included ACNA Chancellor Scott Ward, to determine what is the best pathway to follow during this time in which the accusations against Archbishop Wood swirl that must be addressed.

The Living Word bishop was able to do that because during the Saturday's (Nov. 15) CoB meeting he was tapped as the new Dean of the Province to provide ongoing leadership as ACNA wades through the turmoil created by Archbishop Wood's various issues.

REC Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton handed over the reins of deanship following 11 years of service in that capacity.

The 75-year-old Reformed Episcopal bishop found that with his ongoing health issues he had too many balls in the air. Although he still remains the Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church and the continuing bishop ordinary of the REC Diocese of Mid-America.

“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,” Bishop Sutton wrote to his brother ACNA bishops. “Therefore, in my capacity assuming the archbishop’s responsibilities I have appointed Bishop Julian Dobbs to become the Dean.”

Therefore, in that capacity as the second Dean of the Province, Bishop Dobbs inhibited Archbishop Wood's from all diaconal, sacerdotal and episcopal ministry in accordance with ACNA Canon IV.9.1 for 60 calendar days.

“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,” Bishop Dobbs wrote in an email sent on the Feast of Hugh of Lincoln (Nov. 17) detailing the actions of Saturday's CoB virtual meeting.

“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,” Bishop Dobbs elaborated. “The canons provide for the imposition of an Inhibition when it is determined to be in the best interests of the Church to do so (Canon IV.9.1).”

The five senior active working ACNA CoB bishops ordinary who concurred with Bishop Dobbs are: Archbishop Foley Beach (II ACNA/I South); bishops Alberto Morales (IX Quincy); Eric Menees (V San Joaquin); Kenneth Ross (I Rocky Mountains); and Clark Lowenfield (I Western Gulf).

The key is active and working senior diocesan bishops who joined with Bishop Dobbs in concurring with his action.

There are now 42 retired bishops in the ACNA College of Bishops. The most senior living retired ACNA bishop, according to his episcopal consecration date as bishop ordinary, is Bishop William Wantland (IV Eau Claire). Chronologically the oldest living retired bishop is 98-year-old Bishop Fitzsimmons Allison (XII South Carolina). The most senior bishop to ever join the College of Bishops was former REC Presiding Bishop Leonard Riches who was consecrated in 1975. He died in 2024.

“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,” Bishop Dobbs emailed on Monday (Nov. 17).

In his missive Bishop Dobbs outlined several things including actions and goals:

✓He discussed CoB’s zoom meeting;

✓He expressed CoB’s thanksgiving for Bishop Sutton's service;

✓He passed along Bishop Sutton's own comments;

✓He noted he was appointed the new Dean of the Province;

✓He announced his inhibition of Archbishop Wood;

✓He released the Notice of Inhibition;

✓He explained the new leadership of the Diocese of the Carolinas where Suffragan Bishop David Bryan is stepping in as the Acting Bishop;

✓He reassured ACNA that the mission of the Province will continue;

✓He offered a prayer for peace, unity and purity; and

✓He also referenced Psalm 34:28. “The Lord is near to those who are brokenhearted and will save those who are crushed in spirit.”

Mary Ann Mueller is a journalist living in Texas. She is a regular contributor to VirtueOnline.