Bishop John Perumbalath of Liverpool has officially resigned amid serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment. This decision comes shortly after Channel 4 News aired complaints from two women, including a fellow bishop, leading to significant scrutiny of his conduct.
The first complaint was brought forth by a female bishop who alleged that she experienced sexual harassment from Perumbalath. While the Church of England acknowledged that they had "explored" her complaint, it was determined not to fall under safeguarding issues but rather as a matter of alleged misconduct. Unfortunately, the complaint was not fully investigated due to a 12-month limitation under the Church of England’s Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). Despite support from Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, for an extension, the request was denied.
The second complaint originated from a woman in the Diocese of Chelmsford, who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Perumbalath on three occasions. She described incidents that included unwanted physical contact and inappropriate remarks. In one instance, she claimed that during a diocesan away day in 2019, he kissed her forcibly, despite her attempts to move away. In another incident in January 2023, she alleged that he pressed his face against hers and made inappropriate advances.
The Church’s National Safeguarding Team (NST) investigated the allegations but concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns. The police also looked into the matter but decided not to take any further action. A spokesperson for the Church stated that while there was insufficient evidence to classify the complaint under the CDM, they offered support to the complainant should she wish to pursue the matter further.
Following the broadcast of the allegations, senior clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool urged Perumbalath to step aside from all ministry roles until the allegations were thoroughly investigated. In his resignation statement, Perumbalath denied all accusations, asserting that he had been subjected to a "trial by media." He expressed frustration over how the media portrayed him as guilty before any formal conclusions were reached.
Perumbalath insisted that he had not engaged in any wrongdoing and noted that previous investigations by the NST and police had found no substantiated claims against him. He also addressed claims regarding his safeguarding assessment prior to his appointment, stating that these were incorrect and that the NST had found no concerns about his operational safeguarding experience.
In light of this situation, Archbishop of York expressed his respect for Perumbalath’s decision to resign and reiterated his commitment to providing stability during this tumultuous period for the Diocese of Liverpool. An acting bishop will be appointed in the coming days to oversee the diocese.
The clergy in Liverpool released a statement acknowledging the painful nature of the situation and expressing their commitment to support all affected individuals. They emphasized the importance of prayer and support for their congregations as they navigate the aftermath of this troubling news.
As the Church of England continues to grapple with allegations of misconduct and safeguarding failures, this incident underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and accountability within church leadership. For further insights into the Church’s safeguarding policies, you can visit the Church of England’s Safeguarding page.
In these challenging times, it is crucial for the church community to come together in prayer and support for those affected by these serious allegations. The journey ahead will undoubtedly require wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice for all parties involved.