ACNA Archbishop Accused; Possible First Ecclesiastical Trial

Stephen (Steve) Wood, archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, has been formally accused in a presentment of sexual harassment, unsolicited cash payments, bullying and sermon plagiarism. The presentment, based on affidavits, alleges an April 2024 incident in which Wood put his hand on the back of Claire Buxton’s head and attempted to kiss her, and accuses him of making surprise payments totaling thousands of dollars and offering to send her to a luxury resort; complainants say some misconduct began years earlier. The complaint predates Wood’s June 2024 election as archbishop and could trigger a Board of Inquiry and, potentially, an ecclesiastical trial — a first for an ACNA archbishop if pursued. The accusations come amid broader turmoil in the denomination, including an ecclesiastical review of Bishop Stewart Ruch III. Wood has denied the allegations; ACNA officials say they take credible claims seriously and will follow canonical process, and St. Andrew’s leaders have notified congregants that the complaint will be reviewed.