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30 January 2025

Bishop Of Liverpool Announces Retirement Amid Misconduct Allegations

Retirement follows multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, shaking the Church of England's credibility.

The Bishop of Liverpool, Dr. John Perumbalath, has announced his retirement just days after facing allegations of misconduct from two women, including fellow Bishop Beverley Mason. The allegations include claims of non-consensual kissing and groping from one woman and sexual harassment from the bishop of Warrington.

The 58-year-old Perumbalath vehemently denied the accusations, asserting his innocence in retirement communications published by the Diocese of Liverpool on January 30, 2025. "Having sought the permission of His Majesty the King, I have today taken the decision to retire from active ministry in the Church of England," he stated, reiteration his position: "Since those allegations were made, I have consistently maintained I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so." He added, "I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people whom it has been an honour and joy to serve."

The timeline of the allegations is significant; the misconduct claims were first made to the Church of England in 2023. One complaint was proffered by Mason, who shared her experiences of harassment and the lack of progress on her complaint over 510 days. She expressed her frustrations about how the church has handled the situation since her absence from duty began, stating, "A bishop cannot be above the law. A bishop cannot be dealt with differently from a priest. If anything, a bishop must be held to greater scrutiny." Mason’s absence since April 2024 has been called “long and terrible,” reflecting the emotional toll on church members and leadership.

Following the allegations, there was mounting pressure on Perumbalath to step aside. Joanne Grenfell, the Church of England's lead bishop on safeguarding, had also expressed concerns, urging the bishop to pause all church duties during the investigation. The immediate effect of this decision was significant as the diocese began to seek interim leadership; arrangements for episcopal oversight during this transition will be organized by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

Cottrell acknowledged Perumbalath's decision to retire by expressing gratitude for his ministry, but he himself has faced scrutiny for his handling of various allegations within the Church. Earlier this year, Archbishop Justin Welby was compelled to resign over his inadequate response to another abuse scandal, reflecting the deepening turbulence within church governance.

Perumbalath articulated concerns over the handling of media narratives surrounding his situation, stating, "Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and treated these allegations as fact." He criticized what he termed the "rush to judgment" and expressed apprehension over the effects of such media portrayal on his ministry and community. His position, he noted, had become untenable as he awaited the completion of reviews associated with the allegations.

The departure of Perumbalath after only two years as Bishop of Liverpool is indicative of the much larger institutional challenges facing the Church of England, especially relating to allegations of misconduct and its safeguarding practices. "There is absolute dismay among the rank and file. There is no confidence... and no idea about what’s coming next," one priest lamented during discussions concerning the future.

These recent events have led some church figures, including Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, to call for more substantive responses to allegations and to express their disappointment at the Church's cyclical failures. “Yet again, failures at the heart of the institution of the Church of England, and its leadership, undermine credibility and confidence in the church,” she noted, calling for immediate action.

The Church of England's upcoming synod is anticipated to address the extreme backlash it faces concerning health and future reforms, particularly how to rebuild trust and restore credibility. The meeting could be dominated by debates surrounding abuse, safeguarding, and the institution's recent failings. Cottrell is expected to make efforts to steer the Church back to stability, but sentiment among church members remains fraught with skepticism.

Interim leadership will inevitably lead to adjustments within the diocese as the impact of Perumbalath’s departure settles within the broader community. An acting bishop will be appointed shortly, and both the current staff and parishioners look on with concern and anticipation about the future of their leadership.

With trust eroded amid allegations, the Church faces pivotal decisions about its internal processes and public accountability. It remains to be seen what steps will emerge from these recent tribulations, but the underlying call for change and transparency is growing louder within the vast network of the Church of England.