Two Church of England charities are facing criticism from the Charity Commission for their handling of accusations against a former bishop linked to sexual misconduct. The Diocesan Boards of Finance for Liverpool and Chelmsford were specifically called out for their failure to appropriately address safeguarding concerns regarding John Perumbalath, who resigned as Bishop of Liverpool amidst allegations from two women without admitting fault.
Allegations from the women included claims of unwanted kissing, groping, and sexual harassment by Perumbalath. One of the accusers, identified as Beverley Mason, the former bishop of Warrington, emphasized the importance of accountability for all, including bishops.
The Charity Commission’s reprimand marked the first instance of the regulator issuing warnings against Church of England dioceses. The watchdog pointed out deficiencies in the two charities’ management related to the allegations against Perumbalath, citing a lack of proper procedures and processes leading to inaction by trustees despite having knowledge of the allegations.
The Commission highlighted the absence of adequate oversight for safeguarding within the charities, specifically noting a failure to report a serious incident promptly. In response to the warning, the Bishop of Chelmsford and the diocesan safeguarding officer expressed disagreement with some of the Commission’s conclusions but affirmed a commitment to enhancing procedures in collaboration with the regulator.
Meanwhile, trustees of the Liverpool charity acknowledged the shortcomings identified by the Commission and pledged to learn from the situation, implementing changes to bolster reporting and governance practices. The Church of England reiterated its dedication to upholding safeguarding responsibilities following regulatory feedback.
Perumbalath, who denied the allegations against him, expressed a commitment to reflecting on his actions and learning from the experience. The ongoing dialogue between the charities and the Charity Commission aims to ensure improved processes and accountability moving forward.