BBC News
EPAThe bishop of Liverpool decreased after allegations of sexual assault and harassment were made against him.
The good reverend, Dr. John Perumbalath, said that he did not want to be a “distraction” after complaints made by two women had been described in a Channel 4 News Investigation.
He said that it was “not a resignation caused by the fault or by any admission of responsibility”.
A woman had accused the bishop of kissing him without consent and of groping in Chelmsford in the Essex, where the pastor was bishop of Bradwell, on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023. A bishop also told Channel 4 news that ‘She had been sexually harassed by him.
The police had concluded that no other action was necessary, while the Church of England said that his investigation had found no cases to respond.
There had been Calls widespread for the bishop to withdraw After the program broadcast, church leaders calling for its “untenable” position.
“Unbehave”
Bishop Perumbalath, who was inducted as bishop of Liverpool in 2023, previously said that he had “always denied the allegations made against me by the two complainants”.
In accordance with the church convention, the bishop offered his resignation to the king, who then accepted, allowing him to withdraw from this role.
In a new statement, he added: “I have always argued that I did not hurt anything and that I continue to do it.
“Since the complaints were filed in 2023, they were surveyed and examined by experts from the national safeguard team and that found them baseless.”
He said that there had been a “rush to judgment” and a “media trial”, adding that he had made the decision to withdraw from the active ministry “for my own well-being, my family and the better interest in the diocese “.
Bishop Perumbalath said that it had become clear that the gap and the expectation of new journals would mean “a long period of uncertainty” for the diocese.
The precise date when his role officially ended was not yet determined, he said, adding: “But I am backing from my ministry today.
“This means that I will not be in the diocese or will not direct the diocese with immediate effect.”
His resignation comes after a group of church leaders announced that they had written to the Archbishop of York calling the bishop to withdraw.
They said allegations should be inquiry “fully and correctly” and that the own investigations of the Church of England had failed.
The letter was signed by the clergy, including Sue Jones, dean of Liverpool, Pete Spires, archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton and Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, archdeacon of Liverpool.
They wrote: “Having listened to the clergy, the congregations and the staff of the diocesan offices and the cathedral, it is with deep regret that the senior management of the diocese of Liverpool thinks that the position of RT Revd, Dr. John Perumbalath , is currently untenable. “
ReutersReacting to the resignation of the bishop, the archdeacon Threlfall-Holmes said: “This is what we called is what we thought we seemed to be the thing supposed to do.”
She said that she appreciated that he had chosen to resign for the benefit of the diocese and not to become a distraction.
“I appreciate it,” she added.
Archbishop Cottrell – who has faced his own calls to resign On alleged separate safeguard failures – said that he respected the decision of Bishop Perumbalath and thanked him for his ministry.
“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation,” he said.
He said he was “determined to ensure stability” during the transition and that an acting bishop would be announced in the coming days.
