The Bishop responsible for overseeing the Anglican Church in the Channel Islands has stepped back from his role while allegations of “potential financial irregularities” are looked into.
The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend Stephen Lake, has stepped down voluntarily as diocesan and also resigned as a trustee of the Church Commissioners, according to the Church Times.
A spokesperson for the Church of England told the Anglican weekly newspaper: “An ongoing financial audit is being undertaken following allegations of potential financial irregularities in relation to two separate funds.”
The diocese told clergy last week that Bishop Lake had voluntarily stepped back as diocesan bishop while the audit was ongoing.
A statement from the Diocese of Salisbury said: “These funds relate to the office of the Bishop of Salisbury but are separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance.”
Jersey and Guernsey became formally attached to the Diocese of Salisbury in November 2022. The Bishop of Salisbury has pastoral responsibility and episcopal care for the islands.
It confirmed that the Bishop of Sherborne, the Right Reverend Karen Gorham, would be acting diocesan bishop “during this period”.
