The news item below was published on the website of the Diocese of Salisbury yesterday (10 April).
Rt Revd Karen Gorham announced as acting Bishop of Salisbury
The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, is to be acting Bishop of Salisbury for a temporary period, it has been announced.
This follows the news that the Rt Revd Stephen Lake has voluntarily and temporarily stepped back as diocesan bishop while a financial audit of two funds is underway. He has also resigned from his role as Church Commissioner. A spokesperson from national Church, which is leading the process, confirmed that the financial audit is being undertaken following allegations of potential financial irregularities in relation to two separate funds, both of which relate to the office of the Bishop of Salisbury. These funds are separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance.
Under Bishop’s Karen’s guidance and leadership, support to parishes and clergy will continue as normal. Contacts for DBF staff can be found here Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) staff – The Diocese of Salisbury and for the bishop’s office here link Bishop’s Offices – The Diocese of Salisbury.
The previous day the Church Times published Bishop of Salisbury steps back during audit and resigns as Commissioners’ trustee; this has more information than the diocesan statement.