The Bishop of Liverpool has been asked to step aside because his position is “currently untenable” after allegations of sexual assault and harassment were made against him.
The senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool have written to the Archbishop of York, calling for the Rt Rev Dr John Perumbalath to go.
It comes after one woman accused the bishop of kissing her without consent and groping her, and another woman accused him of sexual harassment, according to Channel 4 News.
Bishop Perumbalath said he has “consistently denied” the allegations and complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team (NST).
Having listened to clergy, congregations and staff at the diocesan offices and the cathedral it is with deep regret that the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool feel that the position of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is currently untenable.
Senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool
A statement, signed by six members of the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool, says: “Having listened to clergy, congregations and staff at the diocesan offices and the cathedral, it is with deep regret that the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool feel that the position of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is currently untenable.
“We believe that the allegations made by the female bishop need to be fully and properly investigated.
“We also believe that while these proper investigations are conducted, the Bishop of Liverpool will need to step aside from all ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool.”
The letter is signed by Debra Walker, the chair of the House of Laity; the chair of the House of Clergy Peter Dawkin; and Sue Jones – who is the Dean of Liverpool.
Pete Spiers, who is the Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton; Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, who is the Archdeacon of Liverpool; and the Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington Simon Fisher also signed the letter.
Bishop Perumbalath had previously said: “The allegations set out in this programme are in relation to encounters that took place in public settings, with other people present.
I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to provide proper leadership in this area
Bishop Perumbalath
“I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants. I have complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team.
“The allegations raised in Essex were also investigated by the police who took no further action.
“Whilst I don’t believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learned through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others.
“I will comply with any investigation deemed necessary. I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to provide proper leadership in this area.”
In response to the Channel 4 programme, a Church of England spokesman said that in 2023 a complaint of alleged misconduct against Bishop Perumbalath was brought to the NST and concluded there was not sufficient evidence to bring a safeguarding-related complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) itself but offered the woman support if she wished to do so.
They also said the complaint was investigated by police which resulted in no further action.
A further disclosure was made by another woman, and the information was “explored and assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct”, the spokesman said.
The second complainant did not bring a CDM complaint within the one-year deadline.
She later applied for permission to bring it after the deadline, which the Archbishop of York supported, but this was refused by an independent judge, the Deputy President of Tribunals, they added.
