Questions about sex abuse allegations not allowed at public meeting over next Bishop of Gloucester, by Echomichael, Gloucestershire Echo (September 3, 2014)

Questions about sex abuse allegations not allowed at public meeting over next Bishop of Gloucester

Questions about historic sex abuse allegations against the Bishop of Gloucester will not be allowed at a public meeting on appointing his successor.

On September 22, an open meeting will be held at Gloucester Cathedral where members of the public can have their say on what the next bishop should bring to the diocese.

Last month the current bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Perham, stepped back from his duties as it emerged he had been questioned by the Metropolitan Police in connection with allegations of indecent assault on a child aged under 18 years and indecent assault on a second female aged over 18 years in the early 1980s.

Bishop Michael, who has not been arrested, was due to retire in November anyway and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, has taken over his duties until then.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Gloucester told the Echo that questions about Bishop Michael will not be permitted at the meeting.

He said: “The public will be reminded at the start of the meeting that this is not about Bishop Michael but is part of the legal process which was already in motion to appoint his successor.

“The meeting is for the appointment secretaries to listen to what people want to see from the next Bishop.

“It will be made clear at the start that the two appointment secretaries are only there to listen and note views from the public, which will then be passed on to the committee which decides the shortlist, and will not be speaking during the meeting itself.”

The meeting, which takes place at 7pm in the Chapter House, will be chaired by the Venerable Robert Springett, Archdeacon of Cheltenham and chair of the diocesan’s Vacancy in See Committee.

Archdeacon Robert said: “The open hearing is a really important opportunity for anyone who wishes to express their views of what they require from their future bishop.”

The Vacancy in See Committee will meet again on September 23 to elect six committee members to serve on the Crown Nomination Commission (CNC) – the group which will conduct interviews and ultimately nominate a candidate for the role of Bishop of Gloucester.

The bishop is the chief pastor of all who are in the diocese, which covers Gloucestershire and parts of neighbouring counties.

It runs from the Welsh border in the west to Lechlade in the east, and from beyond Chipping Campden in the north to Chipping Sodbury in the south, and is home to more than 600,000 people, served by some 305 parishes, 390 churches and 116 church schools.

The process for finding the next bishop will take just under a year with an announcement expected in late spring next year.

When contacted by the Echo yesterday, the Metropolitan Police said there was no update in regards to the allegations against Bishop Michael.