Former Gloucester Bishop Given Clearance by Church over Allegations to Take up Ministry in Retirement

Gazette
May 11, 2015

http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/12942777.Former_Gloucester_Bishop_given_clearance_by_church_over_allegations_to_take_up_ministry_in_retirement/

Michael Perham (25696865)

FORMER Bishop of Gloucester Rev Michael Perham has been cleared to take up ministry in his retirement following a church probe into a ceased police investigation.

In 2014 Mr Perham faced police investigation over allegations of indecent assault in the early 1980s.

In October last year it was announced that, following questioning by police, Mr Perham would face no further action over the allegations.

After the investigation the matter was reviewed by the Church of England. On Monday, May 11, news came from Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England, that the former Bishop had been cleared to take up ministry in his retirement.

Mr Perham said: "I am glad that the church process has concluded and that the outcome is clear and decisive.

“The Church has to be rigorous in its approach to safeguarding and, as I made absolutely clear from the start, its investigations had to be thorough to leave no doubt about its conclusions.

“I am, of course, immensely heartened that I can now return to ministry in my retirement. I have a deep sense of gratitude to all in the Diocese of Gloucester and beyond, who have supported, encouraged and upheld me and my family through a long and testing process.

“Now I can look forward to a celebration in Gloucester to bring my ministry there as its bishop for 10 years to a proper conclusion and, afterwards, to a new phase of being a priest and bishop in active retirement.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Gloucester said: “We are gladdened by news from Lambeth Palace that following the completed review and independent risk assessment, Bishop Michael has been cleared to take up ministry in his retirement.

“We look forward to marking Bishop Michael’s committed and dedicated ministry to this diocese, with a service of thanksgiving at Gloucester Cathedral on Saturday, June 13.”

In March The Venerable Rachel Treweek, 52, was appointed as the next Bishop of Gloucester.