The leader of a conservative Anglican denomination that split from the Episcopal Church has stepped aside while facing allegations of sexual and other types of misconduct.

On Monday, Archbishop Stephen Wood said in a statement that he was taking a paid leave of absence as the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) launched a disciplinary investigation into claims he strongly denied.

“I believe the charges against me lack merit,” he said, adding that he “categorically and emphatically” denied an accusation of attempted physical contact made by a former staff member.

The Washington Post reported that a formal complaint, known as a presentment, alleged Wood tried to kiss a former children’s ministry director at his South Carolina parish in 2024, and that he made her uncomfortable with comments and payments from church funds dating back to 2021.

Archbishop Stephen who is 62, and a married father of four, also stepped down as bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas and retired as rector of St Andrew’s Church in Mount Pleasant.

Under church rules, an inquiry board will decide whether the case should proceed to a full ecclesiastical trial, a process that typically takes up to three months.

The ACNA, formed in 2009 after a split over sexuality and doctrine, represents around 130,000 members in 1000 congregations.

The denomination has faced several recent leadership scandals, including the trial of another bishop accused of abusing ecclesiastical power.

Bishop Ray Sutton has assumed Wood’s duties as acting archbishop during the investigation. (Premier Christian News, but headline rejigged)