The Anglican Church of North America was founded in 2009 after some 700 churches split from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada over various disagreements, including the acceptance of women priests, LGBTQ+ affirmation and the rewritten Book of Common Prayer.
In July 2021, a mother went public with allegations that Mark Rivera, a onetime lay leader at Christ Our Light Anglican Church in Big Rock, Illinois, had sexually abused her 9-year-old daughter. At least nine other people have also shared grooming or sexual misconduct allegations against Rivera, who has since been convicted of felony sexual assault and felony child sexual assault.
More than 10 clergy and other lay leaders in the Upper Midwest diocese have been accused of misconduct as a result, and its bishop, Stewart Ruch, stood trial in a proceeding that concluded Oct. 15 — but not before two prosectors had resigned amid claims of procedural misconduct. The church court’s order is expected on or before Dec. 16.
Meanwhile, the denomination has been shaken by dustups involving other bishops. One ACNA bishop was defrocked in 2020 due to his pornography use; in 2024, another bishop, Todd Atkinson, was ousted for inappropriate relationships with women.
In September, Bishop Derek Jones, who oversaw a jurisdiction that endorsed ACNA’s chaplains, announced his departure from the denomination after the archbishop moved to investigate several misconduct allegations against him. The jurisdiction claimed the proposed investigation violated church bylaws, and has moved to exit the denomination, attempting to take its chaplains with it. The jurisdiction also sued the denomination for trademark infringement and unfair business practices.
Since he was elected last summer, Wood has named transparency as one of his priorities and has issued regular, direct communications with ACNA members. In March 2025, he hired a director of safeguarding and canonical affairs as a point person for the denomination’s efforts to protect vulnerable people from abuse and harm.
In July, that director played a key role at a town hall, where ACNA leaders detailed a proposed overhaul of the denomination’s clergy misconduct and abuse protocols. The rewrite aims to clarify the process, making it easier to submit complaints against bishops while also introducing “off-ramps” so that not every complaint becomes an investigation. After several cycles of public feedback, the proposed changes are intended to be voted on next year. If adopted, the revisions would go into effect in January 2027.
At the town hall, Wood reiterated the importance of misconduct protocols. “Discipline in the church is one of the most important things that we can give our attention to, our minds to,” he said.
This article originally appeared here.
