Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)

Loading...
*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Dr Perumbalath’s position is ‘untenable’, say senior diocesan colleagues

29 January 2025

iStock

Liverpool Cathedral

SENIOR leaders in the diocese of Liverpool said on Wednesday that the Bishop of Liverpool, Dr John Perumbalath, should step aside from all ministry in the diocese.

Their intervention follows allegations that Dr Perumbalath sexually harassed a female bishop and sexually assaulted another woman — allegations that he denies (News, 28 January).

In a statement sent to the Archbishop of York, the diocese’s Dean, archdeacons, and the chairs of the houses of clergy and laity, wrote: “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.”

Speaking to Channel 4 News on Wednesday evening, the lead bishop for safeguarding, the Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell, said: “I think these are serious allegations. They need a proper process to look at them to be fair to everybody involved. But I do think that, while that happens, he [Dr Perumbalath], should step back from ministry to give the Church the space to do that properly.”

The programme reported that Dr Perumbalath had been “summoned to a pastoral meeting to discuss his behaviour” last January. This had been attended by the Archbishop of York and his chief-of-staff. Dr Perumbalath had “acknowledged how his actions could be perceived”.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events