Anglican Archbishop on Leave Amidst Allegations

By Jeffrey Walton

JUICY ECUMENISM

November 3, 2025

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 into one of the ten largest parishes in the Episcopal Church and later in the ACNA. Selected as archbishop by the conservative denomination’s College of Bishops on June 22, 2024, Wood was installed the following October in a service marked by pageantry and prayers at a South Carolina megachurch.

The Anglican Archbishop was the focus of a front-page Washington Post article in October detailing allegations brought against him in a complaint by laity and clergy prior to his time as archbishop. The complaint, the merits of which are to be evaluated by a hearing panel before being made as formal canonical charges (known as a presentment) included the claim by a former church staffer that Wood attempted to kiss her and made direct cash gifts to her totaling $3,500 from a rector’s mercy fund. Complainants also allege bullying of staff and misuse of funds for the purchase of a pickup truck.

If found to be true, the allegations are widely acknowledged to be disqualifying. Wood has directly and forcefully sought to refute the claims.

“I unequivocally, categorically, and emphatically deny in their entirety the accusations made against me by Ms. Claire Buxton, who was employed at St. Andrew’s,” Wood wrote to his congregation on October 24.

A press release made available tonight by the provincial office states that Wood “decided to take a voluntary leave of absence pending the resolution of proceedings to address recent allegations brought against him.”

“While the investigation proceeds, Archbishop Wood will step aside from all official duties and responsibilities to avoid any distraction from the Church’s mission and to uphold the integrity of this process,” the statement reads.

Reformed Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton, who serves as Dean of the Province, will assume all canonical responsibilities and duties as Archbishop. He will be assisted by Bishop Julian Dobbs, who has been appointed Dean of Provincial Affairs.

Sutton separately released a letter addressed to members of the church and clergy explaining his role and the role of Dobbs in the season ahead.

“On Saturday, the ACNA Executive Committee approved a resolution to grant Archbishop Wood a paid leave of absence until the proceedings against him reach a conclusion. At that point, the Province will determine the most appropriate course of action,” Sutton wrote.

On October 28 ACNA Executive Director Deborah Tepley released a letter seeking to address the processes of the ACNA and disciplinary procedures for allegations of misconduct.

“As soon as a complaint is validated as a presentment, a Board of Inquiry is appointed and convened to investigate the accusations and determine whether reasonable grounds exist to proceed to trial,” Tepley wrote. “In the recent complaints concerning Archbishop Wood, the Archbishop has recused himself from any role in appointing the Board of Inquiry.”

The letter goes on to explain that Sutton, then serving as Dean of the Provence, oversees that process.

In recent months the ACNA has faced at least four separate instances of alleged misconduct by bishops, including the sudden departure from the denomination in September of Bishop Derek Jones as Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy. Jones sought to unilaterally remove the Special Jurisdiction of Armed Forces and Chaplaincy from the ACNA after a series of complaints alleging abuse of ecclesiastical power was brought against him. The ACNA endorses more than 300 chaplains, 187 of which serve as active duty members of the U.S. military. In the past month, most appear to have remained with the denomination and not followed Jones.

Additionally, the trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch, regarding the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations by clergy and lay leaders within his diocese, concluded in October. A verdict by the ACNA Court for the Trial of a Bishop is expected in December. If Ruch is found to be guilty on any of the charges, sentencing will be handled by the College of Bishops.

PRESS RELEASE

Nov. 3, 2025

ACNA’s Archbishop Steve Wood Announces a Temporary Leave of Absence Pending the Resolution of Recent Allegations

Mount Pleasant, SC - Archbishop Stephen Wood has decided to take a voluntary leave of absence pending the resolution of proceedings to address recent allegations brought against him. The allegations, which predate his election to the office of Archbishop in June 2024, are being taken with the utmost seriousness by ACNA leadership. The Church is committed to a thorough, fair, and transparent canonical process following established procedures within our ecclesiastical canons.

While the investigation proceeds, Archbishop Wood will step aside from all official duties and responsibilities to avoid any distraction from the Church’s mission and to uphold the integrity of this process. Bishop Ray Sutton, who serves as Dean of the Province, will assume all canonical responsibilities and duties as Archbishop during this time. He will be assisted by Bishop Julian Dobbs, who has been appointed Dean of Provincial Affairs.

ACNA remains steadfast in its commitment to accountability and to establishing and upholding best practice standards to protect those who experience harm from the Church.

Archbishop Wood wrote a pastoral letter to ACNA members and clergy announcing this decision, which can be read here. Dean of the Province, Bishop Ray Sutton, has provided additional guidance in a letter he posted here.

Further updates will be provided as appropriate.