The Washington Post today published an article detailing misconduct allegations leveled against the archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church in North America, the Most Rev. Steve Wood. The article an be read here
Summary of the Washington Post Article: “U.S. Anglican Church Archbishop Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Abuse of Power”
The article details serious allegations against Archbishop Stephen Wood, the leader of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), a conservative denomination formed in 2009 after splitting from the Episcopal Church over the ordination of an openly gay bishop. Wood, 62, who also serves as rector of St. Andrew’s Church in South Carolina and bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas, faces a church presentment (formal charges) accusing him of sexual misconduct, abuse of power, plagiarism of sermons, and bullying staff. The primary accuser is Claire Buxton, 42, a former children’s ministry director at St. Andrew’s and a divorced mother of three.
Key allegations against Wood include:
• In April 2024, shortly before his election as archbishop, Wood allegedly placed his hand on the back of Buxton’s head and attempted to kiss her in his office after a conversation about a church mission trip to the Bahamas. Buxton described feeling shocked and immediately reported it to a colleague.
• Over 13 months starting in 2022, Wood allegedly gave Buxton unexpected payments totaling $3,500 from church funds (e.g., checks from the “Rector’s Mercy Fund” and cash), which she found unusual and accepted due to financial need but felt were inappropriate.
• Other incidents: A “sensual” hug in 2021, gossiping about others’ affairs, calling her “Claire Bear,” offering a luxury resort stay, and intrusive behavior during the Bahamas trip (e.g., feeding her with a fork).
Buxton resigned in June 2024, devastated by Wood’s subsequent election as archbishop, viewing it as a failure of vetting by church bishops. The presentment, supported by affidavits from six former colleagues (including priests), also accuses Wood of demeaning staff, bragging about potential affairs, and violating ordination vows by bringing “scandal and offense” to his office. If validated, it could lead to an ecclesiastical trial, potentially resulting in defrocking.
Wood denied the allegations’ merit in a statement, trusting the church’s canonical process, and declined further comment. A church spokeswoman noted the alleged misconduct predates his archbishop tenure and that a Board of Inquiry will assess if a trial is warranted.
The scandal coincides with an ongoing trial against another ACNA leader, Bishop Stewart Ruch III, accused of allowing men with histories of violence or sexual misconduct into his Midwest diocese. The article highlights broader ACNA controversies, including past removals of bishops for pornography use and inappropriate texting, admonitions for mishandling abuse cases, and a rector’s resignation over LGBTQ+ inclusion views. Critics, including former communications director Andrew Gross and priest Rob Sturdy, describe these as symptoms of entrenched leadership failures, abuse of power, and inadequate accountability, potentially threatening the denomination’s credibility and future. ACNA, with 128,000 members across over 1,000 congregations, emphasizes conservative stances on same-sex relationships, abortion, and women’s roles in leadership.
The piece frames the crisis as unprecedented for ACNA, born from moral outrage over the Episcopal Church’s 2003 gay bishop confirmation, now facing internal moral reckonings. It includes context on Wood’s rise, a 2019 letter questioning his moral authority (e.g., over a $60,000 diocesan truck and staff treatment), and recent church efforts to improve safeguarding against abuse.