Malayali Bishop in Church of England John Perumbalath denies sexual assault allegations
![bishop-john-perumbalath Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool. Photo courtesy: Website/Church of England](https://img.onmanorama.com/content/dam/mm/en/news/world/images/2025/1/30/bishop-john-perumbalath.jpg?w=1120&h=583)
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London: A Malayali bishop in the Church of England has denied allegations of misconduct after claims by two women were aired on a UK television programme. Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, originally from Kerala and ordained into the Church of North India in 1994, was featured in a Channel 4 News broadcast on Tuesday night.
The programme alleged that one woman was sexually assaulted in the Diocese of Chelmsford in Essex while Perumbalath was Bishop of Bradwell between 2019 and 2023. A second woman, a fellow bishop, also accused him of sexual harassment.
“I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants. I have complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team (NST),” Perumbalath said in a statement.
“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. I will comply with any investigation deemed necessary. I take safeguarding very seriously,” he added.
The Church of England also issued a statement in his defence, stating that the complaint was made after Perumbalath had legally become Bishop of Liverpool.
“The complaint was looked into according to statutory safeguarding guidance in an NST-led process, and an independent risk assessment was undertaken,” a Church spokesperson said.
“This process concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning outcome was identified, with which the bishop fully engaged. The complaint was also investigated by the police, which resulted in no further action,” the spokesperson added.
The second complaint was reportedly filed beyond the one-year deadline and was dismissed by an independent judge. The Church also claimed that the Channel 4 News report contained inaccuracies.
The revelations come amid a wider crisis in the Church of England, with Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell facing calls to resign over his alleged failure to handle historic abuse cases.
“Our report tonight (Tuesday), detailing accusations of sexual assault and harassment, ratchets up the pressure, as we reveal Archbishop Stephen was informed of the allegations before the bishop at the centre of the claims [Perumbalath] was enthroned in a more senior role,” Channel 4 News stated.
Dean, Archdeacons, and chairs of houses of laity and clergy in Liverpool have issued a statement saying that the position of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is currently untenable.
"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," the statement said.