The Bishop of Liverpool has been requested to “step apart” by senior clergy in his diocese who say that his place is “at the moment untenable” after Channel 4 Information broadcast allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment earlier this week.
The allegations in opposition to Dr John Perumbalath have been made by two totally different ladies, one in all whom is a feminine bishop who stated she had been sexually harassed by him. Dr Perumbalath has denied all allegations in opposition to him.
The Church of England stated that the feminine bishop’s grievance had been “explored” however “assessed to not be a safeguarding matter however a matter of alleged misconduct”.
It added that she had not introduced a grievance throughout the 12-month limitation set by the Clergy Self-discipline Measure (CDM), and that her software to take action past the deadline had been refused.
“The second complainant didn’t convey a CDM grievance 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,” a spokesperson for the Church of England stated.
“Nevertheless, this was refused by an impartial 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.”
A letter has now been written by senior clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool to the Archbishop of York asking for a full investigation into the feminine bishop’s grievance.
“Having listened to clergy, congregations and employees on the diocesan places of work and the cathedral it’s with deep remorse that the senior management of the Diocese of Liverpool really feel that the place of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is at the moment untenable,” they stated.
“We consider that the allegations made by the feminine bishop have to be totally and correctly investigated. We additionally consider that whereas these correct investigations are performed the Bishop of Liverpool might want to step apart from all ministry within the Diocese of Liverpool.”
The letter has been signed by Debra Walker, Chair of the Home of Laity of the Liverpool Diocesan Synod, Peter Dawkin, Chair of the Home of Clergy of the Liverpool Diocesan Synod, 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.
The second grievance got here from a girl within the Diocese of Chelmsford who stated 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 palms previous the aspect of my breasts on each 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 in opposition to my face, stated ‘I 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 stated that the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff (NST) had investigated the grievance and “concluded that there have been no ongoing safeguarding considerations, however a studying end result was recognized with which the bishop totally engaged”.
“The grievance was additionally investigated by the police which resulted in no additional motion,” the spokesperson stated.
“The NST concluded that there was not enough proof to convey a safeguarding-related grievance below the Clergy Self-discipline Measure (CDM) itself however supplied the lady help if she wished to take action. The NST continues to have contact, at her request, with the lady who got here ahead and the supply of ongoing help stays.
“A while subsequently, after listening to the main points of the grievance immediately from the complainant, the Lead Safeguarding Bishop additionally supplied recommendation and help to the lady if she wished to convey a CDM grievance. That provide additionally stays.”
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 folks current. I’ve constantly denied the allegations made in opposition to me by each complainants.
“I’ve complied with any investigation from the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff. The allegations raised in Essex have been additionally investigated by the police who took no additional motion.
“While I do not consider I’ve accomplished something unsuitable, I’ve taken significantly the teachings learnt by means of this course of addressing how my actions might be perceived by others. I’ll adjust to any investigation deemed crucial. I take safeguarding very significantly and work arduous to supply correct management on this space.”
