QUESTIONS about the conduct of the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, have been referred to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST), the Church Times has learned.
A spokesperson for the Church of England told the Church Times: “We can confirm that concerns relating to Bishop Stephen Lake’s conduct have been raised with the National Safeguarding Team.
“These are being taken very seriously and responded to according to the House of Bishops’ Code of Practice. Support is being offered to all those involved.”
The code requires the NST to consider whether the case should be referred to the statutory authorities, and, in this instance, the police were informed. The police have told the NST that they are not currently taking any further action. There is no suggestion that minors are involved.
Safeguarding matters were raised earlier this year only after it had emerged that Bishop Lake had stepped back as diocesan Bishop while a separate financial audit took place and had also resigned as a trustee of the Church Commissioners (News, 17 April).
At the time, a Church House spokesperson said: “An ongoing financial audit is being undertaken following allegations of potential financial irregularities in relation to two separate funds.”
This was further clarified by a statement from the diocese of Salisbury: “These funds relate to the office of the Bishop of Salisbury but are separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance.”
The diocese also announced that the Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham, would be Acting Bishop of Salisbury “during this period”.
Last week, Lambeth Palace said: “Significant progress on the audit has been made and it is now nearing completion . . . Following the conclusion of the audit, careful consideration will be given to any necessary next steps. Bishop Stephen remains stepped back from ministry, with Bishop Karen continuing as acting diocesan bishop during this time.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury said in a statement to the diocese last week: “Thank you all for the work you continue to do in the diocese during this period. I know many of you will be frustrated by the continuing uncertainty and am conscious of the impact this continues to have. You are in my prayers as this process continues.”
In an address to the Salisbury diocesan synod last month, Bishop Gorham said that it had been “an unsettling time” for the diocese. “There has been much uncertainty, diary events to manage, and the investigation highlighted in our communication with you and in the press has gone on much longer than anyone at first thought.”
One complication is that Bishop Lake is the next bishop in line to take a seat on the Bishops’ Bench in the House of Lords. A spokesperson for the Church of England said: “We are in discussion with the House of Lords authorities on how best to proceed.”
On Thursday, in a pastoral letter to the diocese, Bishop Gorham referred to the “shocking and distressing” news, writing: “We understand that the Church Times is publishing news that safeguarding concerns regarding Bishop Stephen have been reported to the National Safeguarding Team.
“The concerns relate to adults. These concerns emerged subsequent to the financial investigation, and we have been informed by the NST that they are being dealt with in accordance with the Bishop’s Code of Practice.
“This news will be shocking and distressing to us all. I am particularly concerned for those directly impacted, and all for whom this news may be particularly difficult due to their own experiences.”
The Acting Bishop invited people to gather for Compline on Thursday evening “in our shock and sadness”. She wrote: “I want to reassure you of my continued commitment to you over the next weeks and months, as your bishop. We will come together as planned next week for clergy day, where there will be an opportunity to reflect and pray together.”