The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has elected the Rt. Rev. Stephen D. Wood as its third archbishop during a conclave held from June 20 to June 22, 2024, in the crypt of St. Vincent’s Basilica at St. Vincent’s College. Bishop Wood, who has been serving as the bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas, will succeed the Most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach, who is completing his second term.
The official transfer of authority took place during the closing Eucharist of the Provincial Assembly on June 28, 2024. This significant ceremony marked the end of a week filled with various Provincial leadership gatherings, including meetings of the Executive Committee, Provincial Council, and a mission conference attended by over 900 participants. The assembly celebrated the ministry and leadership of Archbishop Beach, highlighting his decade of service.
Archbishop Wood, who expressed feelings of being “overwhelmed and humbled,” called for prayers as he steps into this new role. He committed to faithfully serving the ACNA and its members, drawing on God’s grace and mercy. Wood has been a notable leader, previously recognized for his dynamic leadership at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
The Anglican Church in North America, established in 2009, has grown to include over 128,000 members across more than 1,000 congregations in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The archbishop’s responsibilities include convening Provincial Assembly and Council meetings, representing the Province in church councils, and serving as chairman of the Executive Committee and President of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund.
Archbishop Beach, looking forward to the future, praised Wood’s leadership qualities and expressed optimism about the ACNA’s next chapter under Wood’s guidance.
