The Church of England faces another crisis as Bishop of Liverpool John Perumbalath resigned on Thursday. This follows a recent television program that aired sexual assault allegations against him. Perumbalath vehemently denies these accusations. However, he states that the “trial by media” has made his position untenable. He says he does not want to distract the diocese from its important work.
Allegations and Investigations
Channel 4 News aired a program on Tuesday detailing the accusations. A woman claims Perumbalath sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2023. The program also includes allegations of sexual harassment towards another bishop.
The Church of England’s safeguarding team had previously investigated Perumbalath earlier this year. They found insufficient evidence to support a misconduct complaint. An independent judge also dismissed a separate complaint from another woman. This was due to it not being filed within the required timeframe.
A Difficult Situation for the Church
Perumbalath’s resignation comes at a turbulent time for the Church of England. In November, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned. This followed an independent inquiry that found Welby had not done enough to stop a serial child abuser.
The Church of England is the mother church of the Anglican Communion. This global association has 85 million members. These recent events have shaken the trust of many. The senior leadership in the Diocese of Liverpool acknowledges the difficult situation. They are calling for prayers and support during this challenging time.
Perumbalath’s Background and Future
Perumbalath was ordained in the Church of North India in 1994. He later joined the Diocese of Rochester in England in 2001. He became Bishop of Liverpool in 2023. At 58 years old, he is now retiring from active ministry. The exact date his role will formally end is yet to be determined.
Perumbalath maintains his innocence. He expresses sadness at the impact this situation has had on the diocese and the wider church. He believes his resignation is necessary to allow for healing and to prevent further distractions. The Church of England continues to grapple with the fallout from these events. It faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and ensuring the safety of its members.
