Right-wing Christians exposed in 'explosive report' detailing abuse

Religion News Service reports that the anti-LGBTQ, hyper conservative Anglican Church of North America is being hounded by new controversy connected to a troublemaking leader.

"Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church of North America, faces allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and plagiarism, according to an explosive report released by The Washington Post on Thursday (Oct. 23)."

“I was in shock,” said former children’s ministry director Claire Buxton, who claims Wood tried to kiss her and later gave her more than $3,000 from church funds. “It’s just bizarre to me how far we — the Anglican Church in North America and its leadership — have gotten away from basic morals and principles.”

The young denomination was founded in 2009 after some 700 churches split from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada over a host of disagreements, including the acceptance of women priests, LGBTQ+ affirmation and the rewritten Book of Common Prayer.

Now the denomination is more known for a rector accusing Wood of preaching sermons he didn’t write, publicly cursing at colleagues and misusing a $60,000 truck provided by the diocese for church visits.

Buxton told reporters that Wood began acting inappropriately with her in 2021, repeatedly showering her with money, calling her “Claire Bear” and offering to send her to a luxury resort. Buxton said she was fearful Wood would attempt to start a physical relationship with her. When she confronted him, she claims Wood told her: “You know how special you are to me. You’re my favorite person in the world.” And when she got up to leave, she claims he put his hand against the back of her head and tried to kiss her.

This is not the denomination’s first shake-up, reports Religion News. In July 2021, a mother went public with allegations that Mark Rivera, a leader at Christ Our Light Anglican Church in Big Rock, Illinois, had sexually abused her 9-year-old daughter. And at least nine other people have shared grooming or sexual misconduct allegations against Rivera, who has since been convicted of felony sexual assault and felony child sexual assault.

“Additionally, more than 10 clergy and other lay leaders in the Upper Midwest diocese have been accused of misconduct as a result, and its bishop, Stewart Ruch, stood trial in a proceeding that concluded Oct. 15 — but not before two prosectors had resigned amid claims of procedural misconduct,” reports Religion News. “The church court’s order is expected on or before Dec. 16.”

Another bishop was defrocked in 2020 due to his use of adult content, and in 2024, another bishop, Todd Atkinson, was ousted for inappropriate relationships with women.

Read the Religion news report at this link.