ACNA Archbishop Stephen Wood Faces Sexual Misconduct, Bullying Allegations

Stephen D. Wood, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), faces serious allegations including sexual misconduct, bullying, and plagiarism. A former children's ministry director, Claire Buxton, accused Wood of attempting to forcibly kiss her in his office in April 2024 and alleged a pattern of grooming behavior with large financial gifts from church funds. These accusations come just before Wood’s election as archbishop and have sparked a formal church complaint known as a presentment, which could lead to an ecclesiastical trial. Wood denies the allegations, expressing confidence in the church's canonical process to clarify the matter. The ACNA, a conservative denomination formed in 2009 in opposition to the Episcopal Church's progressive stances, is experiencing a significant leadership crisis amid these claims. The investigation and potential trial mark a critical moment for the denomination, which has also recently faced a formal schism from the global Anglican Communion.