THREAD: Archbishop Steve Wood announced he's taking a temporary leave of absence as the leader of the Anglican Church in North America in the wake of allegations reported by the Washington Post that he tried kissing an employee last year, two months before he took the helm.
The denomination issued a press release about the leave of absence, but omitted a key detail: This is a paid leave of absence. Wood technically remains archbishop and bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas.
But Wood did announce that he was retiring as the rector of St. Andrew's Church in the Charleston, S.C. area.
Tonight, Wood emailed his congregants that he announced his intention to retire as rector to his staff a few weeks ago. But before he could send his letter out, "unexpected events overtook us."
He added: "Now that I have decided to take a leave of absence from my other roles pending resolution of the allegations that have been brought against me, it seems right and natural to take this next step as originally intended."
And: "Despite these unfortunate and unexpected events, it is also true that St. Andrew’s deserves a full-time pastor who can be fully present, fully focused, and fully devoted to shepherding this extraordinary parish day by day."
His decision to take a temporary leave of absence comes after former employees decided to speak up and explain what they experienced under his leadership as diocesan bishop. In this case, they filed a complaint, a "presentment," accusing Wood of violating church canons.
If a church Board of Inquiry determines that the presentment warrants an ecclesiastical trial, Wood could face a range of sentences, anything from a "Godly admonition" to defrocking -- removal from ministry.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
