The Church of England is facing a series of scandals that have led to calls for resignations and a sense of crisis within the institution. Bishop Philip North of Blackburn has described the situation as a "media frenzy" that is "purifying" the Church, while acknowledging the "huge reputational damage" caused by the scandals.
The most recent scandal involves John Perumbalath, the former Bishop of Liverpool, who resigned last week following allegations of sexual assault and harassment. These allegations were reported by Channel 4 News, which also claimed that the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, had bullied members of a committee to secure Perumbalath's appointment. Cottrell has categorically denied these allegations.
The scandals have also led to the resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury, following a damning report into serial abuser John Smyth. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is currently serving as the interim Archbishop, but calls for his resignation have also been made.
Bishop North has expressed concern about the impact of the scandals on the Church's reputation, saying that he feels less confident speaking out on social issues. He acknowledges that the Church is "on the back foot" and needs to "recover trust" with the public.
The Church of England General Synod will meet in February to debate and vote on a new model for safeguarding. Alex Frost, a Synod member and vicar in Burnley, described the Church's hierarchy as being "in disarray" and said that local churches are trying to continue with their day-to-day ministry despite the scandals.
The scandals have highlighted concerns about the Church's handling of safeguarding issues and have raised questions about the accountability of bishops. The Church is facing a difficult period as it tries to address these issues and rebuild trust with the public.