US EditionLeader of conservative Anglican denomination takes leave while facing misconduct claims
Archbishop Wood denies allegations involving sexual harassment, bullying, and plagiarism as a 10-person Board of Inquiry investigates potential church trial grounds.
- On Nov. 3, Steve Wood, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, announced a voluntary leave as bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas and retirement as rector of St. Andrew's Parish, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, denying the allegations as lacking merit.
- Last month, The Washington Post reported Claire Buxton, former children's ministry director, alleged Wood gave her more than $3,000 and attempted to kiss her in April 2024, with other conduct since 2021 before his election as archbishop last year.
- Wood recused himself and delegated appointing the 10-person Board of Inquiry to Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of the denomination; the investigation by ACNA clergy and laypeople typically takes a few weeks to about three months.
- With Wood stepping aside, Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of the denomination, will assume archbishop duties and oversee leadership with Bishop Julian Dobbs assisting during the leave.
- ACNA is amid an overhaul of misconduct protocols after years of pushback, with any changes adopted next year not taking effect until January 2027, while at least four other ACNA bishops have faced church charges.
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Associated Press News
Leader of conservative Anglican denomination takes leave while facing misconduct claims
Archbishop Stephen Wood, leader of the Anglican Church in North America, has taken a leave of absence amid allegations of misconduct, which he denies.
Religion News Service
BishopAccountability.org - Documenting the Catholic Sexual Abuse and Financial Crisis - Data on bishACNA Archbishop Steve Wood takes leave of absence amid sexual misconduct claims
(RNS) — A church investigation will determine whether there are reasonable grounds to put Wood to a church trial.
Leader of Conservative Anglican Denomination Takes Leave While Facing Misconduct Claims
The top leader of the Anglican Church in North America — a conservative denomination that broke away from the more liberal Episcopal Church about 15 years ago — has taken a leave of absence after facing allegations of sexual and other misconduct, which he denies.
Anglican archbishop on leave amidst allegations
Archbishop Steve Wood announced tonight that he is both taking a temporary leave of absence as Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and as diocesan Bishop of the Carolinas. In a separate letter to the congregation of St. Andrew’s Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Wood and his wife Jacqui wrote of his decision to retire as rector of the parish. Wood has served as rector of St. Andrew’s for the past 25 years, overseeing its growth…
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