Church of England Bishop Stephen Conway Resigns After Arrest and Suspension Over Sexual Assault Allegation

The Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, has resigned with effect from 1 October after being suspended from ministry and arrested as part of a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault, the Church of England has confirmed.

Lincolnshire Police said in February that a 68-year-old man had been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025. He was released on conditional bail. Reporting at the time identified the man as Conway, who became Bishop of Lincoln in 2023.

The Diocese of Lincoln said separately that Conway had been suspended from ministry in February after a complaint was made to the Church's National Safeguarding Team. The matter was being handled under the House of Bishops Code of Practice, which includes referral to the appropriate statutory authorities.

As of 22 September, no charge against Conway had been publicly announced.

Safeguarding Complaint To Run Its Course

The Church of England said Conway's resignation does not bring the safeguarding complaint process to a close. Clergy remain subject to church disciplinary procedures following resignation or retirement, and the Church said this process remains ongoing.

The police investigation and the Church's safeguarding and disciplinary processes are separate, although the Church has said the complaint was referred to the appropriate statutory authorities.

Conway's resignation comes before the police investigation has concluded. Lincolnshire Police has not issued a further public update on the case since the February arrest.

In the Church of England, safeguarding complaints involving senior clergy are normally considered under the House of Bishops Code of Practice and the clergy disciplinary system.

Complaints can lead to a range of outcomes, including no further action, formal rebuke or prohibition from ministry, depending on the findings. The Church has said that clergy remain subject to these procedures even after they step down from office.

The case comes amid longstanding scrutiny of the Church of England's approach to safeguarding, following a series of independent reviews into its handling of past cases. In recent years, national reports have examined how allegations against clergy and church officers were managed and have recommended changes to training, reporting routes and independent oversight. The Church has committed to further reforms of its safeguarding structures, including the role of its National Safeguarding Team.

Diocese Faces Leadership Gap From October

The Diocese of Lincoln will formally enter a vacancy when Conway's resignation takes effect on 1 October. Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain, who is also Bishop of Grantham, will continue as Acting Bishop of Lincoln while the process of appointing a permanent successor gets under way.

During a vacancy, an acting bishop usually takes on key responsibilities such as confirmations, licensing clergy and providing oversight for parishes, while longer-term decisions on diocesan strategy and senior appointments are often held over until a new diocesan bishop is in place.

The Church of England said a Crown Nominations Commission would be convened in due course to discern the next Bishop of Lincoln. The Commission is the body that recommends diocesan bishops to the Crown.

It is normally made up of representatives from the diocese, members of the national church and independent members. After considering candidates, it submits a name to the Prime Minister, who advises the King on the appointment.

Conway was enthroned as the 73rd Bishop of Lincoln in November 2023, meaning he will leave the role less than a year after his formal installation in the cathedral.