John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, is facing pressure to resign after senior clergy in his diocese stated that his position was no longer viable due to sexual misconduct allegations. His senior leadership team recommended that he step aside from all ministry duties while an investigation is conducted into a sexual harassment claim made by a female bishop, alongside a separate accusation of sexual assault.
The statement from the senior clergy, issued after consultations with local clergy, congregations, and staff, increases the pressure on Perumbalath to reconsider his role. These allegations come just months after the Church of England was rocked by a crisis involving Archbishop Justin Welby’s resignation over a different abuse scandal.
A statement from six senior clergy members on Wednesday evening declared: “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.”
This statement followed a Channel 4 News report revealing that two women had come forward with accusations against Perumbalath. One woman claimed he kissed her without consent and groped her, while the female bishop accused him of sexual harassment. Both incidents allegedly occurred in Essex in 2023.
Perumbalath, who assumed the role of bishop in Liverpool in 2023, explained that police had investigated the allegations but did not take further action. He maintained that he did not believe he had done anything wrong, though he acknowledged the importance of “the lessons learnt” through the process.
Perumbalath further stated that he had fully cooperated with an investigation by the national safeguarding team, and the police had concluded their investigation with no further action. “Whilst I don’t believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others,” he said.
The Church of England confirmed that a complaint of misconduct was filed against Perumbalath in 2023, after he formally assumed his position. A spokesperson for the Church said that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) found insufficient evidence to bring a case under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). The complaint was also investigated by the police, who took no further action. The Church offered support to the woman involved.
A second complaint was filed shortly after the first, but the second complainant did not submit a CDM complaint within the one-year deadline. The complainant later sought permission to bring the complaint after the deadline, which was supported by the Archbishop of York but ultimately denied by an independent judge.
“The information brought by the second complainant was explored and assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct. Pastoral support has been provided throughout for the second complainant and is ongoing,” the Church spokesperson added.
In related developments, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who temporarily replaced Justin Welby, has also faced calls to step down following allegations that a priest involved in a sexual abuse case was reappointed twice during Cottrell’s time as Bishop of Chelmsford.
