Mount Pleasant, South Carolina – Archbishop Steve Wood of the Anglican congregation in North America has faced allegations of misbehavior, including sexual harassment, dating back to his time as bishop of a Mount Pleasant congregation.
According to the Washington Post, a former children’s ministry director at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church accused Wood, 62, of forcibly kissing her in April 2024, only two months before he was appointed archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America.
She also alleged Wood provided her approximately $3,500 in church cash over several months prior to the near-kiss incident, beginning in 2021. Wood was bishop of St. Andrew’s at the time the woman made her charges. Since his appointment as rector on September 1, 2000, Wood has held many positions at St. Andrew’s.
In addition to his archbishop duties, Wood serves as rector of St. Andrew’s and bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas.
According to his diocese profile, Wood managed the expansion of St. Andrew’s membership to over 3,200 people and the establishment of new churches throughout the Lowcountry.
The former director of St. Andrew’s eventually resigned, according to the Post. However, seeing his selection as archbishop prompted her to come forward publicly, despite having previously reported the incidents to church officials.
St. Andrew’s sent a message to its congregation before the Washington Post piece was published, telling them that a complaint had been filed against Wood.
Canon law requires that the complaint be verified as a presentment before any further action is taken. If validated, Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of the ACNA’s College of Bishops, will convene a Board of Inquiry to determine whether additional action would be taken.
The communication was a statement from Wood regarding the claims.
“I don’t think these complaints have merit. Wood’s statement adds, “I trust that the process outlined in our canons will bring clarity and truth to these matters.”
It also included comments from Mike Hughes, the senior warden of St. Andrew’s. Hughes stated that he “commended” everyone engaged in the matter for prayer.
“This is a painful and very personal process for all involved,” Mr. Hughes said.
The Post reported on further complaints from Wood’s colleagues, the majority of whom are now priests, detailing additional inappropriate behavior.
One rector at a nearby Mount Pleasant church accused Wood of plagiarizing sermons, while others claimed he cursed and berated his staff.
V. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, was elected bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. This exacerbated the division among church members, resulting in a considerable number of conservatives walking away and founding new Anglican sects.
The ACNA was created in 2009 by theological traditionalists, and its constitution and canons were approved at a ceremony in Bedford, Texas.
