‎Second Woman Accuses North American Anglican Church Archbishop Steve Wood of Sexual Harassment Amid Expanding Misconduct Allegations

‎A second woman has come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Archbishop Steve Wood, the head of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). The new claim was filed Thursday in an amended ecclesiastical complaint, or “presentment,” submitted to the denomination’s leadership.

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‎A second woman accuses Archbishop Steve Wood of sexual harassment as new allegations deepen the Anglican Church in North America’s crisis.

‎Grace Beahm Alford/Post and Courier/AP

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‎The woman, identified as Jane Doe 1, alleged that Wood pressured her into uncomfortable and inappropriate situations. Her written statement in the presentment details that she was urged to meet privately with the archbishop and drink alcohol despite repeatedly expressing discomfort. She stated she would not share further details publicly due to fear of being identified.

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‎Wood, 62, who is married and has four children, was elected in mid-2024 as the third archbishop of the ACNA, a denomination with more than 128,000 members and 1,000 congregations. He had previously served as rector of St. Andrew’s Church near Charleston, South Carolina, for 25 years before retiring from that role earlier this week.

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‎The first complaint, filed on October 20, accused Wood of sexual immorality, violating ordination vows, and bringing scandal to the church. The primary accusation was made by Claire Buxton, the former children’s ministry director at St. Andrew’s Church, who claimed Wood attempted to kiss her and later gave her multiple payments totaling thousands of dollars from church funds.

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‎The revised presentment now includes Jane Doe 1’s account and a supporting affidavit from Andrew Gross, the church’s former communications director. Gross alleged that Wood engaged in manipulation and deception toward colleagues and attempted to influence church processes to protect himself. His affidavit also detailed concerns about possible efforts to assemble a “bishop-friendly” Board of Inquiry, raising broader questions about accountability within the denomination.

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‎The Anglican Church in North America is facing internal unrest as it addresses these allegations. Multiple clergy members and bishops have released statements emphasizing the church’s commitment to transparency and discipline. Bishop Chris Warner noted in an internal message that the denomination “does not hesitate to take action when action is warranted.”

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‎Wood has denied all allegations. In a written statement, he said he is “fully submitted to the ACNA’s canonical process” and intends to respond formally at the appropriate time. He also announced a voluntary paid leave of absence from his role as archbishop and bishop overseeing more than 40 churches across the southern United States.

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‎Some clergy have criticized the church’s handling of the situation. The Rev. Drew Miller, one of the priests who helped file the complaint, expressed concern that Wood’s voluntary leave lacks restrictions on his interactions with potential witnesses or accusers.

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‎The ACNA, founded in 2009 after a split from the Episcopal Church over theological disputes, has faced several recent controversies involving senior leaders. A Chicago-area bishop, Stewart Ruch III, currently awaits a verdict in an ecclesiastical trial related to alleged misconduct, and another bishop was defrocked in 2024 for inappropriate communications with a married woman.

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‎If the denomination proceeds with an ecclesiastical trial and Wood is found guilty, he could face defrocking, the highest disciplinary measure under ACNA’s canon law.