By Peter Omopo
The Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and suspended from his duties.
Lincolnshire Police confirmed that a 68-year-old man was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025. He has since been released on conditional bail.
In a statement posted on the Diocese of Lincoln’s website, the Church of England said Bishop Conway had been “suspended from ministry” following a complaint to its national safeguarding team.
The statement noted that support is being provided to those affected and that a referral has been made to the appropriate statutory authorities. No further details of the complaint were disclosed.
“We understand that this will be a deeply unsettling time,” the statement added.
During the suspension, the Bishop of Grantham, the Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will assume responsibilities in the diocese.
Bishop Conway has served as Bishop of Lincoln since 2023 and previously held roles as Bishop of Ramsbury and Bishop of Ely. Investigations are ongoing.
