THE Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Michael Perham, withdrew
from ministry in his diocese on Saturday, shortly before being
questioned by police about historic allegations of indecent
assault.
A tweet from a diocesan officer on Saturday read: "For personal
reasons, Rt Revd Michael Perham has stepped back from his ministry
as the Bishop of Gloucester."
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed
that, on Tuesday, a 66-year-old man attended a police station in
Gloucestershire by appointment, "where he was interviewed under
caution on suspicion of indecent assault on a child aged under 18
years; and indecent assault on a second female, aged over 18 years.
He was not arrested.
"The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 1980
and 1981 and are being investigated by officers from the
Metropolitan Police Service's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and
Child Abuse Command."
In a letter to the diocese issued on Wednesday, the Bishop of
Tewkesbury, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, confirmed that, the previous
day, the Archbishop of Canterbury had signed an Instrument of
Delegation, allowing him to act as diocesan bishop.
Referring to the police investigation, he said: "You will
all realise that this is therefore a traumatic time for Bishop
Michael, his family and for those who have made the allegations.
Please hold them in your prayers."
From 1976 to 1981, Bishop Perham, who has been married since
1982, and has four daughters, was Assistant Curate of Addington, in
the diocese of Canterbury. In February, he announced his intention
to retire on 21 November, after ten years in post, when he will be
67.