Bishop of Liverpool faces calls to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations

The Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev Dr John Perumbalath, faces significant pressure to step aside amid serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment from two women, including a female bishop. Senior leaders within the Diocese of Liverpool have deemed his position 'untenable' and have called for him to temporarily step down while the allegations are investigated. The allegations include non-consensual kissing and groping, with claims dating from 2019 to 2023, and have raised concerns about the Church of England's handling of such complaints. Perumbalath has consistently denied the allegations and stated that he has complied with all investigations by the National Safeguarding Team. A letter outlining the senior leadership's concerns was signed by six prominent church figures, signaling a growing desire for accountability within the church hierarchy. This situation follows a broader context of scrutiny and crisis within the Church of England regarding abuse scandals.