Bishop Phil Speaks on the College of Bishops’ Meeting
News from ACNA :
ACNA College of Bishops Calls for Provincial Assembly to Fast-Track Improvements in Church Discipline
Church Leaders Discussed Improved Vetting for Bishops and Other Key Reforms at Semiannual Gathering
Melbourne, FL— The College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) concluded its semiannual meeting yesteray, January 16, 2026 where it unanimously reaffirmed its confidence in the interim leadership of Bishop Dobbs, advanced discussions for improved vetting of bishops in episcopal and archepiscopal elections, and took steps to fast-track the enactment of proposed new disciplinary reforms in June 2026. The gathering convened more than 50 bishops from across North America for five days of prayer, discernment, and ecclesiastical action to advance mission and address key issues facing the College and the wider Church.
“At this critical time in the life of the Church, I am grateful our bishops were willing to grapple with challenging conversations and advance several key reforms that are needed to strengthen our Church,” said Bishop Julian Dobbs, Dean of the Province. “While the challenges before us are real, the resolve of the College to remain steadfast in the Gospel gives me great confidence.”
Reforms to Title IV and Call for a Provincial Assembly
On Wednesday, the College of Bishops unanimously approved a resolution requesting that the Executive Committee convene a Provincial Assembly this June. This measure aims to accelerate the enactment of critical changes regarding how the Church addresses discipline and matters of misconduct. Amendments to Church law (Canons) are approved by the annual Provincial Council in June but do not take effect until they are ratified by the Provincial Assembly, which generally meets every five years. To ensure these disciplinary reforms can be implemented immediately, on Friday, the Executive Committee responded with a unanimous vote to call a Provincial Assembly for Thursday, June 25, 2026. This virtual Assembly will take place one week after the scheduled Provincial Council, allowing for the swift and official adoption of these vital updates to the Title IV section of the ACNA Canons.
The proposed revisions to Title IV are currently under a year-long cycle of public review. The final 6-week window for public input on the proposed changes to the Title IV disciplinary canons will open on Feb 1. To encourage participation and feedback from all Anglican members and clergy, the province will host a virtual, public Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, February 11 from 2:00-3:30 pm EST to review current changes. Registration will open on Tuesday, January 20 via a web link.
Additionally, the Governance Task Force (GTF) has had an initial consultation with Rachael Denhollander, an attorney and leading expert in helping religious institutions properly respond to and prevent abuse. As part of the final public review cycle, the provincial office and the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas have agreed to retain Ms. Denhollander to consult and provide additional feedback to the GTF about trauma-informed best practices.
Customary for Episcopal Elections
While convened, the College also advanced discussions about updated procedures for the vetting and approval of candidates for the offices of Bishop and Archbishop. A final version of this Customary for Episcopal Elections is expected to be approved in the coming months.
Updates from the Court for the Trial of a Bishop
The College received an update on the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, which held an organizational meeting earlier this month to consider all recusals in the disciplinary matters of Archbishop Steve Wood and Bishop Derek Jones. Elizabeth Medley, Esq. of Tallahassee, Florida, has been appointed to serve as the Provincial Prosecutor. Bishop David Bryan, acting Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Carolinas, has recused himself from the Wood matter, and Bishop Ryan Reed has succeeded him as President of the Court. Ms. Katie Grosskopf, Esq., will serve as its Presiding Officer. The Court has indicated it is considering plans to hold proceedings for both cases concurrently. It will host an orientation session for all members of the Court later this month to establish its communications protocols and create a plan for moving forward.
Other Actions
In addition to these actions, the College voted to support the creation of a new Diocese of the Mid-South and consented to the election of the Rev. Canon Billy Waters as a new Suffragan Bishop in the Anglican Diocese of the Rocky Mountains. As a Suffragan Bishop, Rev. Canon Waters will serve under Bishop Ken Ross, Bishop Ordinary, assisting in the episcopal oversight, pastoral care, and strategic mission of the diocese. Rev. Canon Waters serves as Rector of Wellspring Church in Englewood, Colorado. His consecration and installation will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colorado. Guests can register to attend here.
Other actions of the College included approval to develop a new Children’s Catechism and the development of a Commentary to complement the Anglican Catechism titled “To Be A Christian.” The College shared details about the upcoming GAFCON Conference in Abuja, Nigeria March 3-6, 2026 and received greetings from Archbishop Mbanda from Rwanda, Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council and from Archbishop Ndukuba, Primate of All Nigeria. The College also gave its full support to a new agreement that promotes ecumenical dialogue with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Post Ruch Trial Review
Following the College of Bishops meeting, the Executive Committee met on Friday afternoon and appointed a Subcommittee to oversee a third-party review of the provincial administration of disciplinary matters pertaining to Bishop Stewart Ruch. The committee includes: Bishop Mark Engel, Bishop Ordinary of the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes (Chairman), The Rev. Canon Dr. Keith Allen, Rector of Christ Church Vero Beach in the Gulf Atlantic Diocese and member of the Executive Committee, Mrs. Sarah Kwolek, Director of Administration and Diocesan Treasurer for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and member of the Executive Committee, and Mrs. Kellie Moy, lay member at Church of the Good Shepherd in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic. This subcommittee will meet soon to determine the final scope of the review and retain a qualified firm or individual to complete it.
About the Provincial Prosecutor
Beth Medley enlisted in the United States Army in 2000, where she served as a Military Policeman until 2005, deploying to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. After receiving her honorable discharge, Ms. Medley attended Sam Houston State University and, upon graduation, attended South Texas College of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2009. She then worked as a bankruptcy attorney, representing chapter 7 trustees in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Ms. Medley attends St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral with her husband and two children. She was confirmed in the ACNA in 2022.
About The Anglican Church in North America
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) unites 132,000 Anglicans in 1,000 congregations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico into a single biblical and missionary province. Rooted in the historic faith and practice of the Anglican tradition, the ACNA is committed to reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.anglicanchurch.net
