The Bishop of Liverpool, John Perumbalath, a Malayali, resigned on 30 January 2025, citing a “trial by media” over allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. His resignation follows the recent departure of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby amid a broader crisis within the Church of England.
Perumbalath, 58, stepped down after Channel 4 News aired allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman multiple times between 2019 and 2023 and sexually harassed a fellow bishop. In a statement published on the Diocese of Liverpool website, Perumbalath rejected the accusations and said he was leaving to prevent the controversy from overshadowing the diocese’s work.
“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 wrote. He emphasized that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but rather a response to the pressure created by media coverage.
The Church of England previously reviewed a complaint of alleged misconduct against Perumbalath in early 2023 but found insufficient evidence to pursue a safeguarding-related case. Another complaint from a separate individual was dismissed by an independent judge for exceeding the one-year filing deadline.
Originally from Kerala, India, Perumbalath was ordained in the Church of North India in 1994 and later moved to the UK, joining the Diocese of Rochester in 2001. He became Bishop of Liverpool in 2023.
Perumbalath said he was retiring from active ministry with immediate effect, though the formal end date of his tenure is yet to be determined. The Diocese of Liverpool’s senior leadership described the situation as “deeply painful” while acknowledging his decision.
(With inputs from OnManorama)
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