A FORMER Thurrock-based bishop has resigned from his post in the Church of England (CoE), despite strenuously denying claims of inappropriate behaviour made against him.

Yesterday (Thursday, 30 January) Thurrock Nubs News reported on the allegations made against Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath.

He is a former Bishop of Bradwell, whose area includes Thurrock, and he lived at Horndon on the Hill. He was enthroned Bishop of Liverpool in 2023,

The allegations were the latest in a series of uncomfortable circumstances regarding the CoE's management of inappropriate behaviour claims, one of which led to the downfall of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who quit following his failure to probe accusations of sexual abuse within the church ministry.

Also embroiled in similar issues has been the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, current archbishop of York and the leading figure in the CoE. Late last year Thurrock Nub News reported on disciplinary action against a priest under his jurisdiction when he served as the Archbishop of Chelmsford.

Questions have now been asked of his capability to manage his clergy with integrity as Bishop Perumbalath served under his watch in both Thurrock and Liverpool.

Bishop Perumbalath, who continues to deny allegations against him, has now announced he is stepping down, days a Channel 4 News broadcast complaints by two women against him. 

One complainant is a female bishop who said she had been sexually harassed by him. The second complaint was made by a woman in the Diocese of Chelmsford who said she was sexually assaulted by him Perumbalath on three separate occasions.

Bishop Perumbalath denied the allegations in a statement announcing his resignation in which he also claimed he had been a victim of "trial by media."

"Earlier this week, I was approached by Channel 4 news who informed me they would be broadcasting a story containing allegations of inappropriate behaviour by me against two different women," he said. 

"Since those allegations were made, I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so.

"Since the claims were made in 2023, they have been investigated and considered by experts from the National Safeguarding Team and had found them unsubstantiated. The first allegation was also investigated by the police resulting in no further action. Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and treated these allegations as fact.

"Further it has been erroneously reported that prior to my appointment as Bishop of Liverpool, I had failed the safeguarding assessment process. This is categorically not true.

"As the Church of England have made clear in their written statements over the past 48 hours responding to these false claims, the National Safeguarding Team found no concerns about my operational safeguarding experience and recommended some development work for me as I took on additional strategic safeguarding responsibilities — which is commonly the case for new diocesan bishops.

"This rush to judgment and my trial by media (be that social or broadcast) has made my position untenable due to the impact it will have on the Diocese of Liverpool and the wider church whilst we await further reviews and next steps." 

Commenting on the announcement, Archbishop Cottrell said: "I acknowledge the decision made by the Rt Rev. John Perumbalath to resign from active ministry in the Church of England. I respect his decision and thank him for his ministry.

"My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation.

"I am committed to ensuring stability during this time of transition and will be putting the necessary arrangements in place to provide episcopal oversight for the diocese."