Thread by @ArlieColes

Bp. Julian Dobbs of ACNA's Anglican Diocese of the Living Word spoke at a Q&A at an episcopal visit, calling the Wood matter "a very difficult situation for everyone involved. It’s unfortunate and regrettable that it’s played itself out in the media." 🧵 for the full transcript:

"I think it’s demonstrably unnecessary and inappropriate that those making the allegations against the archbishop first went to the Washington Post before they went to the archbishop."

"I don’t see anything in scripture that would suggest that’s the way we should go about things; in fact, quite the opposite. It’s very unfortunate," he said.

"So a presentment has been brought forward; the Board of Inquiry will be impaneled. No bishops sit on that board, obviously. And the matter is weighed and considered, and if there’s found substance, appropriate substance, then that presentment is sent to the court."

"I don’t think it would be appropriate to have bishops on the Board of Inquiry when the matter they’re considering is against a bishop."

Dobbs emphasized that the archbishop is accountable to God & the canons. "That’s one of the great gifts of a structure like ours: we have disciplinary structures & disciplinary canons... Some churches don’t have those; & therefore it’s very difficult... to know how to proceed."

Dobbs also spoke on his use of Godly Admonitions: "I’m in the fifteenth year of my episcopacy; I might have issued five Godly Admonitions in my time. I find them a helpful pastoral tool, particularly if someone is struggling under the pressure of ministry."

On who makes the ACNA's canons: "And their elected body, called the ... Provincial Council – is primarily, not solely, but primarily responsible for any adjustments to those canons."

Dobbs first declined to say the accusations against Abp. Wood, if true, would be disqualifying, saying it would be "inappropriate... as a bishop, who would be involved in the sentencing process... to make a judgment before there's any Board of Inquiry or church legal process".

On Wood's denial: "I think it’s really important to notice that,, because we live in a generation, and in an age, and in a time where anybody can say anything about anyone. Right? There have been people that have said very untrue and slanderous things about me in leadership."

"Sometimes that happens when you offend people and they don’t like you, and they separate themselves off from you, and they say all sorts of horrible things."

"It’s made all the more worse when those things are said in the public arena, on social media, or in this case in the Washington Post, because everybody thinks they’re true. They might be true. The archbishop has said 'no, they’re not true.'"

"Those making the allegations obviously believe there’s truth to them, otherwise they wouldn’t be making them. I do wish, though, they would have made them through the church processes rather than through the Washington Post."

Dobbs stated that if Wood were to decide to take a leave of absence from his duties, Bp. Ray Sutton, dean of the province, would step in.

The Board of Inquiry "needs to take as long as it takes in order for them to do their work properly":

Dobbs commented on Article 26 ("On the Unworthiness of the Ministers"): "'Archbishop, you and I are both miserable sinners, unworthy of the grace of God. Yet Christ has called us to minister in his house.'"

A parishioner pushed Dobbs about whether the allegations if Wood, if true, would be disqualifying. The second time, Dobbs affirmed.