The Bishop of Liverpool has announced his retirement days after facing allegations of misconduct from two women, including another bishop.
One woman said the Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath kissed her without consent and groped her, while the second accused him of sexual harassment.
The bishop has vehemently denied the allegations – and in his retirement letter, published online this afternoon, he doubles down on his denial.
The letter, published by the Diocese of Liverpool, reads: “Having sought the permission of His Majesty the King, I have today taken the decision to retire from active ministry in the Church of England.”
Addressing the accusations, he continues: “Since those allegations were made I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so.
“I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people whom it has been an honour and joy to serve,” he said in his letter.
“This is not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability.”
The exact date for when the bishop’s role will formally end is yet to be decided, but he is stepping back from ministering and leading the diocese as of today.
The letter continues: “I have taken this decision for my own well-being, my family and the best interests of the Diocese.
“I have informed the Archbishop of York of my decision and I understand he will put in place the necessary arrangements for episcopal oversight of the diocese for the remainder of my time here and during the vacancy,” he writes.
The allegations were first reported by Channel 4 earlier this week and led to huge pressure for the bishop to resign, with senior church leaders in Liverpool declaring his position “untenable”.
A letter signed by six people including the Dean of Liverpool, Sue Jones, was published earlier this week.
It read: “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.”
The group also called for a full investigation into the allegation made by the female bishop.
Bishop Perumbalath’s resignation comes at a tumultuous time for the Church of England, which has recently seen Justin Welby quit as Archbishop of Canterbury over the handling of another case.
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