The Bishop of Liverpool, John Perumbalath, announced his resignation on Thursday following allegations of sexual assault and harassment aired by a British broadcaster.
His departure comes just weeks after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, stepped down over the Church of England’s handling of a high-profile abuse case.
Channel 4 News reported that two women had accused Perumbalath of “inappropriate behaviour.” While he denies any wrongdoing, the bishop said in a statement that the “rush to judgement and my trial by media… has made my position untenable.”
Immediate Resignation to Avoid Uncertainty
Perumbalath stated that he had chosen to retire immediately to prevent a “long period of uncertainty” while the claims were further investigated.
“I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people, whom it has been an honour and joy to serve,” he said.
He reiterated that since the allegations emerged in 2023, he has “consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong.” According to Perumbalath, a Church safeguarding team investigated the claims and found them “unsubstantiated,” while police also examined the first allegation and decided against further action.
“Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and presented these allegations as fact,” he added.
Ongoing Scrutiny of the Church of England
Perumbalath’s resignation adds to the turbulence within the Church of England, which is facing intense scrutiny over its handling of abuse cases.
His departure follows that of Archbishop Welby, who resigned after an independent investigation found he “could and should” have formally reported decades of abuse by Church-affiliated lawyer John Smyth in 2013.
Smyth, who led evangelical summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s, was responsible for “prolific, brutal and horrific” abuse of up to 130 boys and young men, according to the independent Makin Review. The report concluded that the Church of England covered up the “traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks,” which took place in Britain, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Welby’s temporary replacement, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, has also faced calls to resign over allegations that he mishandled a sexual abuse case while serving as Bishop of Chelmsford.
Diocese Acknowledges Decision
The Diocese of Liverpool acknowledged Perumbalath’s resignation in a statement, noting that he had stepped down “for the good of the diocese of Liverpool.”
“We continue working hard to support all those who have been affected by this story,” it added.
