Cleric who accused bishop of misconduct resigns

The Bishop of Warrington said her ministry has been "a joy, even in spite of sometimes profoundly distressing and utterly tragic circumstances"

The bishop who identified herself as one of the two women who accused the former Bishop of Liverpool of sexual misconduct is stepping down.

The Bishop of Warrington, the Right Reverend Bev Mason, is leaving her post on 30 September after being on extended leave from the Diocese of Liverpool since the autumn of 2023.

It comes after the former Bishop of Liverpool John Perumbalath resigned in January following sexual assault and harassment allegations against him in a Channel 4 News investigation, which he has denied.

Bishop Mason said "there is much learning the church might take from the past two and a half years", adding that as The Church of England, "we can do better".

"It has now been over two years since I was advised to take 'extended study leave' on the understanding the causative matter would be resolved soon thereafter", Bishop Bev said in a pastoral letter announcing her resignation.

She said she had hoped the incident would provide the right impetus to "prayerfully and with humility examine our processes and behaviours".

Bishop Mason was formerly the acting Bishop of Liverpool before Bishop Perumbalath was enthroned in 2023.

She said: "When systems or processes unintentionally lead to distress or difficulty for individuals, whether lay or ordained, it is important to pause, reflect and address the root causes.

"As a church, with pastoral responsibility at the heart of who we are and what we do, we can do better and we can model something better for a bemused world."

'Tragic circumstances'

One woman had accused Bishop Perumbalath of kissing her without consent and groping her in Chelmsford in Essex, where the clergyman was Bishop of Bradwell.

Another woman told Channel 4 News she was sexually harassed by him.

In January, Bishop Mason who was appointed Bishop of Warrington in 2018 confirmed she was the second complainant.

Bishop Mason said her ministry in the diocese has been "a joy, even in spite of sometimes profoundly distressing and utterly tragic circumstances".

She added: "Under the new leadership of Bishop Ruth, I am so encouraged and hopeful for the diocese of Liverpool after what has been a bruising time."

Bishop Mason said: "I do not know what my future holds, but I am confident that I shall remain in God's presence and under his grace and kindness."

Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, interim Bishop of Liverpool said it was with "heavy hearts we receive this news".

She said: "We are thankful for all that Bishop Bev has given in her ministry among us here in the Liverpool diocese."