Bishop of Liverpool under pressure to quit over sexual misconduct allegations
Bishop of Liverpool under pressure to quit over sexual misconduct allegations
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John Perumbalath’s senior leadership team says he should step aside while claims investigated. The bishop of Liverpool is under pressure to quit after senior clergy in his diocese said his position was untenable following allegations of sexual misconduct.
John Perumbalath’s senior leadership team said he should step aside from all ministry while a claim of sexual harassment by a female bishop was properly investigated. A separate allegation of sexual assault was also made against Perumbalath. The statement from senior clergy, which followed consultations with local clergy, congregations and staff, will put intense pressure on Perumbalath to consider his position.
The allegations about Perumbalath come less than three months after the Church of England was thrown into unprecedented crisis after Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, was forced to resign over a separate abuse scandal. A statement from six senior clergy on Wednesday evening 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 statement was issued 24 hours after Channel 4 News revealed that two women had come forward with allegations about Perambalath. One woman accused Perumbalath of kissing her without consent and groping her, and a female bishop accused him of sexual harassment. Both incidents allegedly took place in Essex in 2023.
