LONDON (Reuters) -Church of England bishop John Perumbalath said on Thursday he would retire from active ministry following allegations of sexual assault against him in a Channel 4 News report, but continued to deny any wrongdoing.
“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,” Perumbalath said. The letter was published on the diocese website.
He denied accusations on Tuesday that he sexually assaulted a woman on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023, and sexually harassed a fellow bishop, saying he had complied with investigations by the Church’s National Safeguarding Team.
(Reporting by Muvija M and Catarina Demony; editing by William James)
Comments