The Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Reverend Stephen Conway, has been suspended from his ministry following a formal safeguarding complaint. The newly installed Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has temporarily removed him from his position while an investigation is conducted.
Complaint Referred to Authorities
The Church of England confirmed on Friday that Conway, who also serves as a member of the House of Lords, has been suspended pending the investigation of a safeguarding complaint. The complaint has been passed on to the relevant statutory authorities for further examination.
Allegations against Conway were initially made at the end of January, prompting the Church's national safeguarding team to take immediate action. In a statement posted to the Diocese of Lincoln's website, it was announced that the Bishop of Grantham, Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will assume the duties of the Diocesan Bishop during this period of suspension.
Support for Those Affected
The statement emphasised that support is available for anyone affected by the situation, with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team ready to assist. It also noted that no further comments will be made while the investigative process is ongoing, acknowledging that this development will be deeply unsettling for many.
Conway was formally installed as the Bishop of Lincoln in November 2023, having previously served as the Bishop of Ely. His name appeared in the 2024 Makin Report, an independent review that exposed systemic cover-ups of child sexual abuse within the Church of England. The report led to the resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Historical Context and New Leadership
The Makin Report suggested that Conway failed to rigorously follow up on information provided by a victim in 2013 regarding abuses committed by the prolific abuser John Smyth. This historical context adds weight to the current complaint and the Church's response.
Archbishop Dame Sarah Mullally has recently committed to taking safeguarding more seriously than the Church has in the past, where she acknowledged it had 'fallen tragically short'. Speaking to the General Synod last week, she stated, 'Safeguarding is a fundamental, non-negotiable responsibility, sharpened by our past failings and shaped by the work we still have to do.'
She further emphasised her commitment to bringing a serious and focused approach to all safeguarding matters within the church. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Bishop of Lincoln for comment on the suspension.
