The Anglican Bishop of Gloucester, Michael Perham, will face no charges over allegations of indecent assault against a girl under 18 and a woman dating from the 1980s.
Michael Perham, the bishop of Gloucester, was interviewed under caution in August by detectives from the Metropolitan police’s sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command.
But Scotland Yard has told Bishop Perham that he will face no further action. The Church of England is assessing whether there are any “ongoing safeguarding issues”.
The alleged incidents concern a period of time between 1980 and 1981 when Perham was a curate at St Mary's Addington in Croydon, south London.
In August the diocese said he had “stepped back” from his ministry, although he has not been suspended. The Bishop of Tewkesbury, Martyn Snow, is acting diocesan bishop.
The bishop, who is due to retire on his 67th birthday next month, said: “It was right that the allegations should be fully investigated and I am grateful that the police have completed the investigation and concluded there are no grounds for further action to be taken. My family and I are very grateful for all the support and affirmation we have received at this time.”
A celebration of Bishop Perham's ministry that had been scheduled for 8 November has been postponed, a spokesman for Gloucester diocese said.
He said he hoped the CofE’s process would be concluded in time for him to return to his post and complete his ministry before his retirement.
Bishop Perham is from the Church of England's liberal catholic wing. He was a member of the Crown Nominations Commission that chose the latest Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. His area of speciality is liturgy and he was a main influence over Common Worship, which succeeded the Alternative Service Book.
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