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Indian-Origin Bishop Of Liverpool Resigns Over Sexual Assault Allegations

John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool, resigned following accusations of sexual assault. Although denying the allegations, he stated the media scrutiny made his position untenable, affecting the diocese and church.

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Indian-Origin Bishop Of Liverpool Resigns Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Bishop John Perumbalath of Liverpool resigned on Thursday, citing a “trial by media” following allegations of sexual assault, which he vehemently denies. The resignation comes at a time when the Church of England is grappling with significant turmoil.

Perumbalath, 58, was indicted in a report by Channel 4 News that he sexually abused a woman numerous times between the years 2019 and 2023 while sexually harassing fellow bishop. However, Perumbalath negated the said allegations, explaining that all accusations were false. According to the letter published on the website of the Diocese of Liverpool, the priest explained that he did not like the scandal to dominate his people and the work of the diocese, describing it as an honor to work. This rush to judgment and my trial by media have made my position untenable.” He had come to the conclusion that it was impossible for him to continue serving in this position.

The Church’s safeguarding team had earlier investigated a complaint lodged in early 2023 and deemed there was nothing to act upon against Perumbalath. A second complaint was dismissed by an independent judge who ruled that she had failed to lodge the complaint within the one-year deadline. But media attention gave rise to the allegations too much for Perumbalath to carry on in office.

Perumbalath, a graduate of Kerala, India, was appointed as the Bishop of Liverpool in 2023, who had worked in the Church of North India and the Diocese of Rochester for many years. His resignation is not a statement that his tenure is going to end, but the diocese and the Church of England will face another crisis after Archbishop Justin Welby resigns.