Senior church figure covering Channel Islands suspended as financial irregularities investigation moves forward
- The Bishop of Salisbury, Stephen Lake, has been suspended from ministry by the Archbishop of Canterbury amid ongoing investigations into financial misconduct allegations.
- Two formal complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure are being investigated, relating to financial misconduct and conduct concerns raised with the National Safeguarding Team.
- Wiltshire Police are not taking action on the safeguarding concerns, and the allegations do not involve children, according to BBC reports.
- Lake voluntarily stepped down in April when an audit was launched into two separate funds connected to his office, distinct from parish share and diocesan finance board funds.
- The Diocese of Salisbury oversees Guernsey and Jersey, which transferred from Winchester Diocese in 2022, with Bishop Karen currently serving as Acting Bishop.
The Church of England has suspended The Bishop of Salisbury as complaints against him continue to be investigated.
The two complaints brought against Stephen Lake, under the Clergy Discipline Measure, will now proceed to the next stage and he has been asked to respond to the allegations.
“He has been suspended from ministry by the Archbishop of Canterbury,” Lambeth Palace said.
“Suspension is a neutral act while the allegations are progressed under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003.
“The complaints were brought following allegations of financial misconduct and concerns raised with the National Safeguarding Team relating to his conduct.”
The BBC has reported that Wiltshire Police were not taking action regarding the safeguarding concerns and the allegations did not involve children
The Bishop had voluntary stepped down in April when The Church of England said that an audit was underway following allegations relating to two separate funds connected to the Bishop of Salisbury's office.
The funds under investigation are separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance.
Guernsey and Jersey became part of the Diocese of Salisbury in 2022, transferring from Winchester Diocese.
Bishop Karen Gorham remains Acting Bishop of Salisbury.
Q&A
Q: Why was the Bishop of Salisbury suspended?
A: Stephen Lake was suspended from ministry by the Archbishop of Canterbury as two complaints against him under the Clergy Discipline Measure are being investigated. The complaints relate to allegations of financial misconduct and concerns about his conduct raised with the National Safeguarding Team.
Q: Do the allegations involve children or criminal charges?
A: No, according to BBC reports, Wiltshire Police are not taking action regarding the safeguarding concerns and the allegations do not involve children. The suspension is a neutral act while the allegations are investigated under church disciplinary procedures.
Q: How does this affect the Channel Islands?
A: Guernsey and Jersey became part of the Diocese of Salisbury in 2022, transferring from Winchester Diocese. With Bishop Lake suspended, Bishop Karen is serving as Acting Bishop of Salisbury, providing continuity of church leadership for the Channel Islands parishes.
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