Two Church of England charities have received warnings from the Charity Commission regarding their handling of allegations against a former bishop accused of sexual misconduct. The Diocesan Boards of Finance for Liverpool and Chelmsford were criticized for their failure to appropriately address safeguarding concerns related to John Perumbalath, who resigned as Bishop of Liverpool amidst accusations from two women without admitting fault or liability.
One of the women alleged that Perumbalath had kissed her without consent and groped her, while the other accused him of sexual harassment. The latter, identified as the former bishop of Warrington, Beverley Mason, who later resigned, emphasized the importance of accountability for all, including bishops.
The Charity Commission’s reprimands mark the first formal warning issued by the regulator against Church of England dioceses. The commission pointed out deficiencies in handling the allegations against Perumbalath, stating that trustees in both charities failed to address the risks adequately due to a lack of proper procedures and processes.
The commission highlighted the absence of sufficient oversight and safeguarding measures within the charities. In the case of the Chelmsford charity, there was a failure to report a serious incident related to allegations against Perumbalath, while the Liverpool charity was faulted for not investigating a complaint against him and failing to protect individuals associated with the charity.
The trustees of the Liverpool charity acknowledged the findings and pledged to improve their processes. Meanwhile, the Bishop of Chelmsford and the diocesan safeguarding officer expressed disagreement with some of the commission’s conclusions but committed to enhancing their procedures.
Perumbalath reiterated his denial of the allegations and stated his compliance with the Church’s investigations. He acknowledged the importance of perception regarding his actions and emphasized the lessons learned throughout the process. The Church of England emphasized its commitment to taking regulatory feedback seriously and ensuring the best safeguarding practices within its institutions.