Church of England Bishop of Indian Origin Accused of Sexual Assault, Groping

The Church of England is facing a major controversy as Rt Rev Dr. John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by two women. The allegations, which reportedly took place between 2019 and 2023 while he was serving as a bishop in Essex, have raised serious concerns about accountability and transparency within the Church’s leadership.

Perumbalath, originally from Kerala, India, was ordained in 1994 in the Church of North India before moving to the UK in 2001. He has since held various leadership positions, including in the Diocese of Rochester, before being appointed Bishop of Liverpool. The accusations have cast a shadow over his tenure and have ignited a debate about how the Church of England handles allegations of misconduct.

Allegations and Denial

The allegations against Perumbalath were first reported by Channel 4 News, which revealed that one woman accused him of kissing and groping her without consent, while another alleged he sexually harassed her. Despite the seriousness of these claims, Bishop John has denied all allegations, stating that the encounters took place in public settings with others present.

In a statement to the BBC, he said, “I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants. I 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 action.”

While denying any wrongdoing, Bishop John acknowledged that he has reflected on how his actions may have been perceived, stating, “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.”

Cover-Up Allegations Against the Church

Beyond the allegations against Bishop John, the controversy has deepened with claims that Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the interim head of the Church of England, was aware of the accusations before Perumbalath’s appointment as Bishop of Liverpool. Despite this, the enthronement proceeded, leading to accusations of a cover-up within the Church.

Critics argue that this case exposes a pattern of mishandling misconduct allegations in the Church of England. Many are questioning whether Church leaders are prioritizing their reputation over the safety of individuals, particularly as cases of clergy misconduct continue to surface.

Impact on the Church and Public Reaction

The Church of England has long struggled with cases of clergy abuse and misconduct, and this latest scandal further erodes public trust. Many believe that greater transparency and accountability are needed, particularly in handling allegations against high-ranking clergy members.

The case has sparked wider debates on how institutions protect those in positions of power while neglecting the voices of victims. The Church has been called upon to review its safeguarding policies, ensuring that similar cases are handled with greater urgency and impartiality.

Future Implications

While no legal action has been taken against Bishop John, the controversy is unlikely to fade soon. With mounting pressure on the Church of England to improve its response to allegations of misconduct, the case could lead to policy changes or further investigations. The accusations against Archbishop Cottrell for an alleged cover-up may also trigger internal reviews regarding how Church leadership addresses sensitive allegations.