In recent months, many across the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) have felt the strain of a difficult season. Questions around our disciplinary processes have surfaced with new urgency, and it has become clear that our structures must serve the Church with greater clarity, care, and integrity. Yet even amid these challenges there are genuine signs of maturity taking root in our province. One of the most encouraging of these is the ongoing work to revise Title IV, the canons that guide how we respond when concerns about clergy behavior arise.
The Governance Task Force released a second draft of a comprehensive revision to Title IV a few months ago, and the proposed changes are relevant to our life together now more than ever before. This work has been shaped not only by legal analysis and canonical study, but by the thoughtful feedback of clergy and laypeople throughout the ACNA. During the first public comment period, the Task Force received detailed responses from across the province; some in the form of brief notes, others as extensive redline documents. That level of engagement alone is a sign of growing health. It demonstrates a shared desire to strengthen the Church’s accountability structures in a way that reflects both truth and grace.
The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. Importantly, no one questioned the heart of the proposed revision, which rests on three major shifts.
The first is a move from minimal canons to a more complete and carefully structured process. While this means Title IV will grow in length, it also ensures that everyone involved (reporting parties, investigators, tribunals, and clergy) can understand what is expected at each stage. Clear steps reduce confusion, limit unnecessary delays, and protect the integrity of the process.
The second shift is away from “one-and-done” investigative bodies and unclear sequencing. Under the proposed revision, disciplinary concerns will follow a more orderly path: the receipt and evaluation of a report; investigation, if needed, by a standing committee dedicated to that work; and then, when warranted, inquiry by a tribunal that can assess the facts and determine an appropriate outcome. This structure helps ensure consistency and avoids the premature judgments or procedural uncertainty that have sometimes marked past cases.
The third shift is toward an inquiry-based model of truth-seeking rather than an adversarial system. While attorneys will still have a role, the focus of the process is no longer on legal strategy but on finding the truth in a way that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and the well-being of all involved. Many commentators highlighted this shift as one of the most encouraging aspects of the revision.
Alongside these broad changes, the Task Force incorporated many specific pieces of feedback. Version 2.0 includes refined definitions, clearer language, adjustments to the role of the Chancellor, a more concise treatment of sexual misconduct, and stronger standards for how sentencing reviews must be explained. Other changes reflect careful discernment around confidentiality, public notice, and the balance between pastoral resolution and the need for thorough investigation. In each case, the goal is the same: a disciplinary system that upholds justice while also respecting the dignity of every person involved.
This season has reminded us of the importance of transparent and reliable structures. It has also reminded us that reform is part of the Church’s ongoing life. The willingness of so many to offer thoughtful critique, pose difficult questions, and engage charitably with this process is itself a hopeful sign. It shows that we are not content with ambiguity or inconsistency; we want a system that reflects the character of the Gospel we proclaim.
The revised draft of Title IV is now open for a second period of public comment until December 14, 2025. After that, the Task Force will incorporate additional revisions and release a third draft for final review early next year. I encourage all who care about the health of our province to read the document, offer feedback, and pray for continued wisdom. You can find all the documentation regarding Title IV on the ACNA website here.
We have work ahead of us, but we also have reasons for confidence. The Lord continues to guide his Church, even through difficult moments, and he uses these seasons to deepen our commitment to truth, accountability, and faithful leadership. May this work help us grow into the maturity to which Christ is calling us.