ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood Faces Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Bullying, and Plagiarism

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Archbishop Steve Wood, the head of the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), has been accused of sexual harassment, bullying, and sermon plagiarism, claims of which he denies. 

According to a report released by The Washington Post last Thursday (Oct. 23), at least 10 individuals signed a formal complaint regarding the allegations. 

Claire Buxton, a former children’s ministry director at St. Andrew, claimed that Wood attempted to kiss her in his office in April 2024, prior to Wood becoming elected to replace Archbishop Foley Beach as head of the denomination. She added that he began acting inappropriately with her in the fall of 2021.

Buxton also alleged Wood had given her more than $3,000 in “unexpected payments” from church funds before the alleged incident.

Wood, however, has denied the allegations.

“I do not believe these allegations have any merit,” said Wood, who also continues to serve as bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas, in a statement to Religion News Service. “I place my faith and trust in the process outlined in our canons to bring clarity and truth in these matters and respectfully decline to comment further at this time.”

 

The complaint also included violation of ordination vows, conduct giving cause for “scandal or offense,” and sexual immorality.

“I was in shock,” Buxton told the Post. “It’s just bizarre to me how far we — the Anglican Church in North America and its leadership — have gotten away from basic morals and principles.”

Meanwhile, priests accused Wood of plagiarizing sermons and bullying staff members before he became archbishop. In 2019, Wood received a letter from the rector of his diocese, questioning his moral authority to serve as bishop. The rector accused Wood of plagiarizing sermons, publicly cursing at colleagues, and using a $60,000 truck provided by the diocese for church visits — then left Wood’s diocese immediately after.

The Anglican Church of North America was established in 2009 following a split of approximately 700 churches from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada over various disagreements, including the acceptance of women priests, LGBTQ+ affirmation, and the revised Book of Common Prayer.

Photo Credit: YouTube / The Anglican Church in North America

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.