Church leaders call for Bishop’s dismissal after sexual assault claims
Church leaders call for Bishop’s dismissal after sexual assault claims
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A senior Church of England bishop accused of groping and sexually harassing women is facing calls to resign. One woman claimed John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, forcefully kissed her, touched her breasts, and made inappropriate comments on separate occasions between 2019 and 2013.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14630507l)Bishop of Liverpool The Right Reverend Doctor John Perumbalath speaks during a national day of protest in Liverpool, Britain, 10 August 2024. Anti-racism groups have organized a national day of protest in opposition to violent far-right demonstrations over the past week, following a fatal stabbing attack in Southport in which three children were killed and eight more seriously injured along with two adults.Anti-racist national day of protest in Britain, Liverpool, United Kingdom - 10 Aug 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237715494-997c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Describing one encounter at a chapel music evening, she said: ‘He pressed his face against my face, said “I love you” quietly in my ear, and moved his mouth to just below my ear, on the pulse point on my neck. ‘He opened his mouth, took a piece of my skin between his lips, and let go.’.
![[FILE PHOTO: Archbishop of York Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell (L) and The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby walk in central London on September 14, 2022, ahead of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. JUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235090111-5a65.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
A female bishop – one of 31 in the Church of England – has also accused Perumbalath of sexually harassing her, Channel 4 News revealed on Tuesday. Now leading figures in his own backyard are calling on him to step down. A statement signed by six members of the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool 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.’.
