The Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, has resigned after being suspended from ministry following his arrest earlier this year over an allegation of sexual assault, the Church of England said on Monday.
British police said in February that a 68 year old man was arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that took place between 2018 and 2025. The man was released on conditional bail.
The Church of England said a safeguarding complaint involving Conway had been referred to the relevant authorities.
Conway, a member of the House of Lords, became Bishop of Lincoln in 2023. He was previously criticised in an independent review of the Church of England’s handling of prolific abuser John Smyth, although he said he had done everything within his authority at the time.
His resignation comes as the Church faces continued scrutiny over its handling of safeguarding cases. The fallout from the Smyth review contributed to the resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2024.
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