Rt Rev Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln has been arrested by Lincolnshire Police on suspicion of sexual assault.
Police said a 68-year-old man was arrested as part of an ongoing inquiry into an allegation of sexual assault between 2018 and 2025. He was released on conditional bail, according to a report by the BBC.
In a statement released on Friday, the Diocese of Lincoln said the bishop has been suspended from ministry while a complaint made to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team is being handled, which "includes referral to the appropriate statutory authorities".
Rt Rev Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of Grantham, will be assume the role of Diocesan Bishop during the suspension.
"Support is in place for those affected and there will be no further comment while the process is ongoing," the statement said. "We understand that this will be a deeply unsettling time. The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is available for anyone who wishes to contact them."
Bishop Stephen, who is also a member of the House of Lords and the former Bishop of Ely, was formally installed as Bishop of Lincoln in November 2023.
Premier Christian News has reached out to the diocese for comment.