Bishop of Liverpool should 'step aside' amid misconduct claims, say senior church leaders in city
Bishop of Liverpool should 'step aside' amid misconduct claims, say senior church leaders in city
Share:
A group of senior church leaders in Liverpool have said the city's bishop, who faces misconduct allegations from two women, should "step aside". The Rt Reverend Dr John Perumbalath's position is "untenable", said the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool in a letter signed by six people including the Dean of Liverpool, Sue Jones.
It comes after one woman accused the bishop of kissing her without consent and groping her, and another woman accused him of sexual harassment, Channel 4 News reported. Bishop Perumbalath said he has "consistently denied" the allegations and complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team (NST).
The diocese statement said: "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 was also signed by Debra Walker, the chair of the House of Laity; the chair of the House of Clergy Peter Dawkin; Pete Spiers, who is the Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton; the Archbeacon of Liverpool Miranda Threlfall-Holmes; and the Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington, Simon Fisher.
