Dear Clergy and Members of the ACNA,
The subcommittee appointed to oversee an independent third-party review of the disciplinary process of Bishop Stewart Ruch III recently provided the Executive Committee with a number of key updates and recommendations that we are eager to share with you.
Firm Retained
After a thorough selection process, the Executive Committee approved the engagement of Lathrop GPM to conduct an independent review of how the Anglican Church in North America administered the Title IV disciplinary process related to the now-concluded ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch III. Lathrop is an experienced national firm specializing in procedural audits. They have conducted hundreds of investigations for non-profit and religious institutions, specifically regarding clergy misconduct and governance concerns. They are highly regarded for conducting neutral investigations that provide clear, objective, trustworthy outcomes.
Scope of Review
The review will examine the administration of the disciplinary process across two periods of provincial leadership: The administration and oversight of Archbishop Foley Beach led the process from its origination in June 2021 to June 2024; the administration and oversight of Archbishop Steve Wood led the process from July 2024 to December 2025.
The intent and purpose of this review is to assess how the Provincial Office managed the disciplinary process, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen the Province’s practices for future disciplinary matters. To do this, it will examine the following:
- The Provincial Office’s administration of the disciplinary process from summer 2021 through December 2025
- Its role in overseeing investigations related to allegations against Bishop Ruch
- Its role in the preparation of Presentments
- Its interactions with the Board of Inquiry and the Court for the Trial of a Bishop
- Its communication, record keeping, contracting, cost management, and related operational decisions
In addition to these broad areas of assessment, the review will specifically explore the circumstances surrounding the resignation of members from the original Provincial Response Team (PRT) in 2022, allegations that current provincial staff members inappropriately shared secure case files with the Court in the spring of 2025, and will address concerns about other discrete delays and expenditures related to the administration of the investigative and disciplinary processes.
The review will not revisit the outcome of the trial, re-examine the merits of the charges, or assess the internal processes, deliberations, or rulings of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop or any other judicial or investigative body.
Origin and Intent of the Review
In June 2022, in response to concerns about delays at that time, the College of Bishops called for the province to engage in “an independent review of Provincial practices related especially to the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, upon conclusion of the disciplinary process.” Based on the minutes from that College of Bishops meeting, the intent of this engagement was “to learn from this experience and implement any protocols or processes that may emerge from the review.”
The commitment to a review was reconfirmed by both the Executive Committee and the College of Bishops in meetings on July 28, 2025. The review was formally commissioned by the Executive Committee in January 2026 with the creation of a Subcommittee, following the release of the final verdict in the trial against Stewart Ruch III on December 16, 2025.
Members of the Post-Ruch Review Subcommittee are: Bishop Mark Engel, Rev. Canon Dr. Keith Allen, Sarah Kwolek, and Kellie Moy.
Questions and Response
Bishop Dobbs will be available to address questions and provide updates about the review process at Provincial Office Hours on Friday, April 17, from 2-3pm EST. Register here to participate. The Executive Committee will provide additional updates as needed. For other questions or comments, please contact Kate Harris, Director of Outreach and Development, at kharris@acna.org.
Sincerely,
The Executive Committee of the ACNA
Chair, The Rt. Rev. Julian Dobbs, Dean of the Province
The Rev. Canon Dr. B. Keith Allen, Gulf Atlantic / New Wineskins
The Rev. Herb Bailey, Gulf Atlantic / Church Army USA
The Rev. Canon Mark Eldredge, Gulf Atlantic / American Anglican Council
The Ven. Carl Eyberg, Living Word
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Eric Menees, San Joaquin
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll, Pittsburgh
Canon Elizabeth (Beth) Conkle, San Joaquin
Mr. William (Liam) Estes, Fort Worth
Mrs. Sarah Kwolek, Pittsburgh
Dr. Albert Thompson, Mid-Atlantic
Mr. Bassem Youssef, Mid-Atlantic