Bishop of Salisbury suspended from ministry amid allegations of financial misconduct and 'safeguarding' concerns

Published: 09:05 EDT, 2 October 2026 | Updated: 09:05 EDT, 2 October 2026 The Bishop of Salisbury has been suspended from ministry after two disciplinary complaints were levelled against him.The Right Reverend Stephen Lake voluntarily stepped back from his duties in April after allegations of 'financial irregularities' in relation to two separate funds in his office. The 62-year-old also resigned as a trustee of the Church Commissioners, who control the Church of England's investment assets.Concerns relating to the bishop's conduct were then raised with the Church of England's National Safeguarding Team.A spokesman for The Church of England said: 'The two complaints brought against the Bishop of Salisbury, Stephen Lake, under the Clergy Discipline Measure, will now proceed to the next stage'.It said the Bishop had been 'asked to respond to the allegations', and added: 'He has been suspended from ministry by the Archbishop of Canterbury.'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 Right Reverend Stephen Lake pictured after an Easter Sunday service at Salisbury Cathedral last yearIn a statement last month, Bishop Lake, who had been in post since April 2022, said he had 'co-operated fully with the investigations'.As Bishop, he was the most senior figure in The Diocese of Salisbury, which covers most of Dorset, Wiltshire and the Channel Islands.The Rt Rev Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, has been appointed as Acting Bishop of Salisbury.In a pastoral letter to the diocese in July, Bishop Gorham referred to the 'shocking and distressing' news of the then fresh safeguarding concerns, which she said 'relate to adults'.The same month, The Dean and Chapter at Salisbury Cathedral described the situation as 'deeply concerning.'In a statement, they said: 'The highest standards are expected of those who exercise leadership in the Church, and investigations which are transparent, thorough and unsparing in their conclusions are necessary.'While investigations are ongoing, speculation is to be avoided.'However, allegations of this nature suggest that individuals have been distressed or harmed.'The Cathedral's principal concern – and our prayers – are for them.'The Church Times reported at the time that police had been informed of the concerns but were taking no further action at that stage.The National Safeguarding Team handles serious safeguarding concerns and allegations against senior clergy within the Church of England.Bishop Lake was tipped by some General Synod members to succeed Justin Welby, who resigned in November 2024 as Archbishop of Canterbury over the way he dealt with a safeguarding scandal.