The Bishop of Liverpool has resigned after coming beneath scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
Dr John Perumbalath, who continues to disclaim the allegations, introduced on Thursday that he was stepping down, days after Channel 4 Information broadcast complaints by two girls.
One complainant is a feminine bishop who mentioned she had been sexually harassed by Dr Perumbalath. The Church of England mentioned it had “explored” her grievance and that it had been “assessed to not be a safeguarding matter however a matter of alleged misconduct”.
It was not absolutely investigated, nevertheless, as a result of the bishop didn’t carry the grievance inside the 12-month limitation required beneath the Church of England’s Clergy Self-discipline Measure (CDM). An software for her grievance to be thought-about past the deadline was supported by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, however refused by the Deputy President of Tribunals, a Church of England spokesperson mentioned.
The second grievance was made by a lady within the Diocese of Chelmsford who mentioned she was sexually assaulted by Dr Perumbalath on three separate events.
She 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 fingers previous the facet of my breasts on either side, with a medium strain, till he reached the sting of the areola.”
She additionally alleged that in January 2023, Dr Perumbalath “pressed his face towards my face, mentioned ‘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 bit of my pores and skin between his lips, and let go”.
The Church of England mentioned that the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff (NST) had investigated the grievance and “concluded that there have been no ongoing safeguarding issues, however a studying end result was recognized with which the bishop absolutely engaged”.
“The grievance was additionally investigated by the police which resulted in no additional motion,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“The NST concluded that there was not adequate proof to carry a safeguarding-related grievance beneath the Clergy Self-discipline Measure (CDM) itself however supplied the girl help if she wished to take action.”
The report by Channel 4 Information prompted senior clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool to jot down to the Archbishop of York, who’s briefly main the Church of England after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, stepped down over safeguarding failures.
Of their letter, the Liverpool clergy mentioned that Dr Perumbalath’s place had grow to be “untenable” and that he ought to “step apart from all ministry” within the diocese till the allegation by the feminine bishop is absolutely investigated.
Dr Perumbalath denied the allegations in an announcement saying his resignation during which he additionally claimed he had been a sufferer of “trial by media”.
“Earlier this week, I used to be approached by Channel 4 information who knowledgeable me they might be broadcasting a narrative containing allegations of inappropriate behaviour by me towards two totally different girls,” he mentioned.
“Since these allegations have been made, I’ve persistently maintained that I’ve not finished something fallacious and proceed to take action. Because the claims have been made in 2023, they’ve been investigated and regarded by specialists from the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff and had discovered them unsubstantiated. The primary allegation was additionally investigated by the police leading to no additional motion. Regardless of this, media experiences have handled me as responsible on all costs and handled these allegations as reality.
“Additional it has been erroneously reported that previous to my appointment as Bishop of Liverpool, I had failed the safeguarding evaluation course of. That is categorically not true. Because the Church of England have made clear of their written statements over the previous 48 hours responding to those false claims, the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff discovered no issues about my operational safeguarding expertise and beneficial some improvement work for me as I took on further strategic safeguarding obligations – which is usually the case for brand new diocesan bishops.
“This rush to judgment and my trial by media (be that social or broadcast) has made my place untenable because of the affect it can have on the Diocese of Liverpool and the broader church while we await additional opinions and subsequent steps.”
Commenting on the announcement, the Archbishop of York mentioned, “I acknowledge the choice made by the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath to resign from lively ministry within the Church of England. I respect his resolution and thank him for his ministry.
“My ideas and prayers proceed to be with all those that have been affected by this case.
“I’m dedicated to making sure stability throughout this time of transition and might be placing the mandatory preparations in place to offer episcopal oversight for the Diocese. An performing Bishop for the Diocese of Liverpool might be introduced within the coming days.”
Senior clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool mentioned in an announcement: “Having acquired the information of the retirement of the Bishop of Liverpool, we acknowledge his resolution in taking this step for the nice of the Diocese of Liverpool. This can be a deeply painful state of affairs, and we maintain all involved in our prayers.
“We might be liaising with the Archbishop of York within the coming days to ascertain interim episcopal oversight for the diocese. We proceed working exhausting to help all those that have been affected by this story; and to help our clergy, congregations and workers as their ministry continues.”
