The Bishop of Liverpool, Dr John Perumbalath, has denied allegations of sexual assault and harassment broadcast by Channel 4 News on Tuesday night.
The report claimed that a girl within the Diocese of Chelmsford accused him of sexual assault. A second grievance got here from a female bishop who accused Dr Perumbalath of sexual harassment.
The complainant in Chelmsford Diocese alleged that at a diocesan away day in 2019, Dr Perumbalath “kissed me forcefully on my mouth, which I didn’t like and I didn’t want. I attempted to maneuver away, but he was holding my head too tightly”.
She alleged that at the tip of a gathering in 2022, “As he was letting go of hugging me, he ran his hands past the side of my breasts on each side, with a medium pressure, until he reached the sting of the areola.”
She also alleged that in January 2023, Dr Perumbalath “pressed his face against my face, said ‘I really like you’ quietly in my ear, and moved his mouth to slightly below my ear, on the heart beat point on my neck. He opened his mouth, took a chunk of my skin between his lips, and let go”.
Responding to the allegations, Dr John Perumbalath said: “The allegations set out on this programme are in relation to encounters that took place in public settings, with other people present. I even have consistently denied the allegations made against me by each complainants.
“I even have complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team. The allegations raised in Essex were also investigated by the police who took no further motion.
“Whilst I do not believe I even have done anything mistaken, I even have taken seriously the teachings learnt through this process addressing how my actions could be perceived by others. I’ll comply with any investigation deemed needed. I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to offer proper leadership on this area.”
The Church of England confirmed that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) received a grievance of alleged misconduct against Bishop Perumbalath “early in 2023” and that it had been made “after Bishop John Perumbalath had formally and legally turn into Bishop of Liverpool”.
“The grievance was looked into in accordance with statutory safeguarding guidance in an NST-led process and an independent risk assessment undertaken,” the Church of England said.
“This process concluded that there have been no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning end result was identified with which the bishop fully engaged.
“The grievance was also investigated by the police which resulted in no further motion.
“The NST concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to bring a safeguarding-related grievance under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) itself but offered the lady support if she wished to accomplish that. The NST continues to have contact, at her request, with the lady who got here forward and the offer of ongoing support stays.
“Some time subsequently, after hearing the small print of the grievance directly from the complainant, the Lead Safeguarding Bishop also offered advice and support to the lady if she wished to bring a CDM grievance. That offer also stays.”
Concerning the grievance from the second woman, the Church of England said the data brought “was explored and assessed to not be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct”.
“Pastoral support has been provided throughout for the second complainant and is ongoing,” it said.
“The second complainant didn’t bring a CDM grievance inside the one-year deadline. She later applied for permission to bring it after the deadline, which the Archbishop of York [Stephen Cottrell] fully supported.
“However, this was refused by an independent judge, the Deputy President of Tribunals.
“Archbishop Stephen has supported the complainant pastorally throughout the method and continues to supply practical help. He had no part within the decision-making around safeguarding or disciplinary matters.”
Clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool have sent a pastoral letter to parishioners addressing the allegations within the Channel 4 News report and saying that they ought to be fully investigated.
“Like you we were shocked and saddened by the allegations broadcast by Channel Four News tonight. We recognise how difficult this may have been for people across our diocese to listen to and all of us need time to take stock,” the letter reads.
“As leaders within the Diocese of Liverpool we wish our diocese and our churches to be places where everyone seems to be and feels protected. We know all our churches are committed to the most effective possible safeguarding practice, and to upholding the dignity of all people, which is why the allegations set out by Channel Four are so upsetting.
“We understand that a few of allegations against the Bishop of Liverpool have been investigated and located unsubstantiated by the National Safeguarding Team.
“We are aware the police in Essex have taken no motion with regard to at least one allegation. However, we understand that an allegation of misconduct was not fully investigated, and we imagine that within the interests of justice this could now occur.
“Above all we recognise that this can be a shock and surprise to many. Some can be indignant and a few will feel let down. We can be found for many who wish to speak and encourage anyone who’s a victim of abuse to report it so it may possibly be properly investigated.”
The letter has been signed by Debra Walker, Chair of the House of Laity, Peter Dawkin, Chair of the House of Clergy, Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton, Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool, and Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington.
