By Martine Oborne2025-02-10T15:59:00
When the Bishop of Warrington made a complaint against her boss, the Bishop of Liverpool, she was sent on study leave while he remained in position – until a Channel 4 investigation shone a light on the story. If women are ever to feel safe in the Church, things have to change, says Martine Oborne
Rt Rev Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool (pictured, right), recently announced that he was retiring from ministry.
The news came after a Channel 4 investigation revealed two women had alleged sexual misconduct against him.
One, Rt Rev Beverly Mason, Bishop of Warrington (pictured, left), confirmed that she had made a complaint against Perumbalath in March 2023, before he was installed as Bishop of Liverpool. But rather than suspending him while a full investigation was carried out, the CofE instead encouraged Bishop Beverly to take “extended study leave” as a “pastoral response” to her complaint.
Given the prevalence of such stories in the Church of England, the case raises important questions about whether women are safe in the Church. And the answer to that question is both an emphatic ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
2025-02-14T12:38:00Z By George Pitcher
To the bewilderment of many, the General Synod has voted against transferring oversight of its safeguarding to an independent body, a decision that George Pitcher says has shown it is well past time to purge the CofE of its hypocrisy
2025-02-07T15:51:00Z By Tim Wyatt
Rev David Fletcher, brother to Jonathan and named in the Makin report as being instrumental in the cover up of John Smythe’s abuse, has himself now been accused of abuse. Tim Wyatt explores what happened, and what needs to change in the conservative evangelical church world to ensure such horrors cannot occur again
2025-02-07T10:43:00Z By Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson
Revival is not about experience or emotion and it cannot be strategised or planned for, says Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson. It is the faithful seeking of God’s heart for the transformation of our nation, and the drawing near to God of those who are far away. Let’s pray faithfully for it to begin with us
2025-07-07T08:55:00Z By Sarah Sedgwick
After their child came out as transgender and cut off all contact, the grief for Christian parents Gary and Leah was profound. But it is possible to keep loving in the silence — with grace, humility and hope — even when reconciliation feels out of reach, says Sarah Sedgwick
2025-07-04T15:43:00Z By Rev Jamie Sewell
While many churches prioritise order, structure, and predictability, Rev Jamie Sewell says true revival isn’t born of control, but of holy disruption
2025-07-04T14:46:00Z By Joshua Luke Smith
Don’t have time for hours of quiet and stillness with God? Don’t feel bad, says Joshua Luke Smith. It isn’t the size of our offering that matters to God, but the heart behind it
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