Bishop of Lincoln resigns following suspension over safeguarding complaint

The Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, has resigned from his position following his suspension from ministry. The Church of England confirmed the resignation on September 21, noting that a safeguarding complaint regarding the bishop had been referred to the appropriate authorities.

The resignation follows an arrest earlier in 2026. In February, British police reported that a 68-year-old man had been arrested as part of an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault occurring between 2018 and 2025. Following his arrest, the individual was released on conditional bail.

Conway, who served as a member of the House of Lords, had been appointed Bishop of Lincoln in 2023. Prior to his resignation, he had been identified as one of several clergy members criticized in an independent review concerning the Church of England’s handling of the late John Smyth, a prolific abuser. At the time of that review, Conway stated that he had acted within the limits of his authority.

The departure of the Bishop of Lincoln occurs amid ongoing scrutiny regarding the Church of England’s safeguarding protocols. The institution has faced significant pressure following the release of the 2024 report on the Smyth case, which previously resulted in the resignation of Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.