Rachael Lazaro & Tom MullenBBC Information
EPAThe Proper Reverend Dr John Perumbalath mentioned he had “constantly denied the allegations”The Bishop of Liverpool has stood down after allegations of sexual attack and harassment had been made towards him.The Proper Reverend Dr John Perumbalath mentioned he didn’t wish to be a “distraction” after claims made via two girls had been defined in a Channel 4 Information investigation.He mentioned it used to be “now not a resignation occasioned via fault or via any admission of legal responsibility”.One girl had accused the bishop of kissing her with out consent and groping her in Chelmsford in Essex, the place the clergyman used to be Bishop of Bradwell, on separate events between 2019 and 2023. A feminine bishop additionally informed Channel 4 Information she used to be sexually pressured via him.Police had concluded no additional motion used to be wanted, whilst the Church of England mentioned its investigation had discovered no case to reply to.There were popular requires the bishop to step apart after the programme aired, with church leaders calling his place “untenable”.’Unsubstantiated’Bishop Perumbalath, who used to be enthroned as Bishop of Liverpool in 2023, prior to now mentioned he had “constantly denied the allegations made towards me via each complainants”.In line with church conference, the bishop introduced his resignation to the King, who then authorized, permitting him to retire from the position.In a recent remark, he added: “I’ve constantly maintained that I’ve now not finished the rest unsuitable and proceed to take action. “Because the claims had been made in 2023 they have got been investigated and thought to be via mavens from the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff and it had discovered them unsubstantiated.”He mentioned there were a “rush to judgement” and a “trial via media”, including that he had made the verdict to retire from energetic ministry “for my very own wellbeing, my circle of relatives and the most efficient pursuits of the Diocese”.
Liverpool Cathedral is the biggest cathedral in Britain and 5th biggest within the worldBishop Perumbalath mentioned it had turn into transparent that stepping apart and looking ahead to additional critiques would imply “an extended length of uncertainty” for the diocese. The correct date when his position would officially finish used to be now not but decided, he mentioned, including: “However I step again from my ministry lately. “This implies I will be able to now not be ministering in or main the diocese with rapid impact.”His resignation comes after a gaggle of church leaders introduced that they had written to the Archbishop of York calling for the bishop to step apart.They mentioned the allegations will have to be “absolutely and correctly” investigated and the Church of England’s personal inquiries had fallen quick.The letter used to be signed via clergy together with Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton and Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool.They wrote: “Having listened to clergy, congregations and body of workers on the diocesan places of work and the cathedral it’s with deep feel sorry about that the senior management of the Diocese of Liverpool really feel the placement of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is recently untenable.”
ReutersThe Archbishop of York, left, with the previous Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who give up over the dealing with of a separate caseReacting to the bishop’s resignation, Archdeacon Threlfall-Holmes mentioned: “That is what we had been calling for, that is what we concept appeared to be the practical factor to do.”She mentioned she liked he had selected to step down for the advantage of the diocese and now not turning into a distraction.”I do admire that,” she added.Archbishop Cottrell – who has confronted his personal calls to renounce over separate alleged safeguarding screw ups – mentioned he revered Bishop Perumbalath’s resolution and thanked him for his ministry. “My ideas and prayers proceed to be with all those that had been suffering from this example,” he mentioned.He mentioned he used to be “dedicated to making sure balance” all the way through the transition and an appearing bishop could be introduced within the coming days.
