The Bishop of Liverpool, Dr John Perumbalath, has denied allegations of sexual assault and harassment broadcast by Channel 4 Information on Tuesday evening.
The report claimed {that a} girl within the Diocese of Chelmsford accused him of sexual assault. A second criticism got here from a feminine bishop who accused Dr Perumbalath of sexual harassment.
The complainant in Chelmsford Diocese alleged that at a diocesan away day in 2019, Dr Perumbalath “kissed me forcefully on my mouth, which I didn’t like and I didn’t need. I attempted to maneuver away, however he was holding my head too tightly”.
She alleged that on the finish of a gathering in 2022, “As he was letting go of hugging me, he ran his palms previous the aspect of my breasts on either side, with a medium stress, till he reached the sting of the areola.”
She additionally alleged that in January 2023, Dr Perumbalath “pressed his face towards my face, stated ‘I really like you’ quietly in my ear, and moved his mouth to only under my ear, on the heartbeat level on my neck. He opened his mouth, took a chunk of my pores and skin between his lips, and let go”.
Responding to the allegations, Dr John Perumbalath stated: “The allegations set out on this programme are in relation to encounters that occurred in public settings, with different individuals current. I’ve persistently denied the allegations made towards me by each complainants.
“I’ve complied with any investigation from the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff. The allegations raised in Essex had been additionally investigated by the police who took no additional motion.
“While I do not imagine I’ve carried out something unsuitable, I’ve taken critically the teachings learnt by means of this course of addressing how my actions may be perceived by others. I’ll adjust to any investigation deemed essential. I take safeguarding very critically and work laborious to supply correct management on this space.”
The Church of England confirmed that the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff (NST) acquired a criticism of alleged misconduct towards Bishop Perumbalath “early in 2023” and that it had been made “after Bishop John Perumbalath had formally and legally develop into Bishop of Liverpool”.
“The criticism was regarded into in accordance with statutory safeguarding steerage in an NST-led course of and an unbiased threat evaluation undertaken,” the Church of England stated.
“This course of concluded that there have been no ongoing safeguarding considerations, however a studying end result was recognized with which the bishop totally engaged.
“The criticism was additionally investigated by the police which resulted in no additional motion.
“The NST concluded that there was not adequate proof to convey a safeguarding-related criticism beneath the Clergy Self-discipline Measure (CDM) itself however supplied the girl help if she wished to take action. The NST continues to have contact, at her request, with the girl who got here ahead and the provide of ongoing help stays.
“A while subsequently, after listening to the main points of the criticism immediately from the complainant, the Lead Safeguarding Bishop additionally supplied recommendation and help to the girl if she wished to convey a CDM criticism. That provide additionally stays.”
In regards to the criticism from the second girl, the Church of England stated the data introduced “was explored and assessed to not be a safeguarding matter however a matter of alleged misconduct”.
“Pastoral help has been offered all through for the second complainant and is ongoing,” it stated.
“The second complainant didn’t convey a CDM criticism throughout the one-year deadline. She later utilized for permission to convey it after the deadline, which the Archbishop of York [Stephen Cottrell] totally supported.
“Nevertheless, this was refused by an unbiased decide, the Deputy President of Tribunals.
“Archbishop Stephen has supported the complainant pastorally all through the method and continues to supply sensible assist. He had no half within the decision-making round safeguarding or disciplinary issues.”
Clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool have despatched a pastoral letter to parishioners addressing the allegations within the Channel 4 Information report and saying that they need to be totally investigated.
“Such as you we had been shocked and saddened by the allegations broadcast by Channel 4 Information tonight. We recognise how tough this can have been for individuals throughout our diocese to listen to and all of us want time to take inventory,” the letter reads.
“As leaders within the Diocese of Liverpool we wish our diocese and our church buildings to be locations the place everyone seems to be and feels protected. We all know all our church buildings are dedicated to the absolute best safeguarding follow, and to upholding the dignity of all individuals, which is why the allegations set out by Channel 4 are so upsetting.
“We perceive that a few of allegations towards the Bishop of Liverpool have been investigated and located unsubstantiated by the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff.
“We’re conscious the police in Essex have taken no motion with regard to at least one allegation. Nevertheless, we perceive that an allegation of misconduct was not totally investigated, and we imagine that within the pursuits of justice this could now occur.
“Above all we recognise that this might be a shock and shock to many. Some might be offended and a few will really feel let down. We can be found for individuals who want to speak and encourage anybody who’s a sufferer of abuse to report it so it may be correctly investigated.”
The letter has been signed by Debra Walker, Chair of the Home of Laity, Peter Dawkin, Chair of the Home of Clergy, Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton, Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool, and Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington.
