Lincoln bishop Stephen Conway arrested as lincoln safeguarding inquiry opens

Stephen Conway, the Bishop of Lincoln, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and suspended from ministry, triggering a church safeguarding inquiry that covers alleged incidents dated between 2018 and 2025. The arrest and the suspension have prompted diocesan arrangements while the criminal and safeguarding processes proceed.

Arrest and suspension details

Lincolnshire Police arrested a 68-year-old man as part of an ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025. The detained man was later released on conditional bail while the inquiry continues.

The Church of England placed the bishop on suspension from ministry while a safeguarding complaint is investigated and passed to the relevant authorities. The initial complaint was made to the national safeguarding team at the end of January, and the safeguarding investigation remains active.

Lincoln diocesan leadership changes

The Diocese confirmed that the Bishop of Grantham, Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will act as the Diocesan Bishop during the suspension period. The diocese said support was in place for those affected and noted that it understood this would be a deeply unsettling time.

The suspended bishop is also a member of the House of Lords and was formally installed as Bishop of Lincoln in November 2023. While he remains on conditional bail, diocesan leadership responsibilities have been reassigned to ensure continuity of oversight and pastoral support.

Next steps in lincoln inquiry

The criminal investigation by police and the Church's safeguarding review are both underway. The precise timetable for either process has not been made public, and further developments will depend on the outcomes of those parallel actions. The bishop has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Key takeaways:

• An arrest was made in relation to an allegation covering 2018–2025; the suspect was 68 and released on conditional bail.
• The bishop has been suspended pending a safeguarding investigation initiated at the end of January.
• Diocesan leadership has been delegated to the Bishop of Grantham and support measures are reported as in place.

Forward look: the criminal case and the safeguarding process can move at different paces. If police gather further evidence or new allegations emerge, additional legal or ecclesiastical steps could follow; conversely, if the safeguarding review identifies no ongoing risk, diocesan arrangements may be revisited. For now, the suspension and the active investigations set the immediate course of action.