ACNA Archbishop Stephen Wood's misconduct trial moved up over a month
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has moved up the trial of Archbishop Stephen Wood by over a month.
Wood, the head of the theologically conservative denomination, is facing allegations that he engaged in sexually immoral behavior and violated his ordination vows. The Right Rev. Ryan Reed, president of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, and Katherine R. Grosskopf, the court’s presiding officer, issued a press release last week announcing Wood's trial has been moved up from October to September.
“After extensive coordination among all parties, we are able to announce [that] a trial date has been set,” they stated. “The Court will be seated for the trial September 7-12, 2026, with extension dates of September 21-26, 2026, if necessary.”
The Court for the Trial of a Bishop released a statement last month stating that the trial for Wood was to begin on Oct. 26, pushing it back from the initial scheduled date of July 20. According to the ACNA court, this was done so church officials could “better fulfill its goal of providing a full and fair adjudication of the allegations in this matter.”
Last October, The Washington Post published allegations that Wood engaged in sexual misconduct and abuse of power while a rector at St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Claire Buxton, a divorced mother of three and the former children's ministry director at the church, claimed that Wood touched her head and tried to kiss her while in his office in 2024. Buxton also alleged that Wood had given her thousands of dollars in unexpected payments that had originated from church funds before he allegedly made advances toward her.
Four presbyters and seven laypeople filed a formal complaint, known as a presentment, in response to the allegations against Wood, with an inquiry board investigating the accusations.
The Most Rev. Ray Sutton released a letter in November announcing that Wood was taking a voluntary leave of absence, with Sutton appointed to oversee the archbishop's office for the time being.
"The Provincial staff remains committed to serving the province. They will work to advance the Church's mission and priorities as outlined by Archbishop Wood during his absence," wrote Sutton. "Please hold all these matters in your prayers.”
Shortly after Wood began his leave of absence, ACNA officials released a Notice of Inhibition suspending Wood from ordained ministry for 60 days "unless extended or otherwise superseded by" church law.
The Right Rev. Julian M. Dobbs, dean of the ACNA Province, stated that the suspension "does not determine guilt or innocence, nor does it pre-judge any allegation or future proceeding."
The ACNA Board of Inquiry issued a short statement last December saying there was “probable cause to present” Wood “for trial for violation of Canon 2 of this Title.”
The board said Wood should be charged with “Violation of Ordination Vows,” “Conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense, including the abuse of ecclesiastical power” and “Sexual Immorality.”
