Quick Read
- The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, was suspended from ministry on February 20, 2026.
- The suspension was ordered by the Archbishop of Canterbury following a complaint to the National Safeguarding Team.
- The complaint has also been referred to appropriate statutory authorities for investigation.
- Bishop Conway was previously named in the Makin Report regarding alleged failure to follow up on abuse information in 2013.
- Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of Grantham, will serve as Acting Bishop during Conway’s absence.
LINCOLN (Azat TV) – The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, has been suspended from his ministry by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a decision announced on Friday, February 20, 2026. This suspension follows a complaint made to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST) and its referral to appropriate statutory authorities, casting a renewed spotlight on his previous mention in the significant Makin Report concerning historical abuse allegations.
The suspension was initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, adhering to the House of Bishops’ Code of Practice. In Bishop Conway’s absence, the Suffragan Bishop of Grantham, Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will assume the functions of the diocesan Bishop, as confirmed by a statement on the Diocese of Lincoln’s website. The diocese acknowledged that this would be “a deeply unsettling time” for its community and directed those concerned to diocesan safeguarding teams and support agencies like Safe Spaces and ThirtyOneEight.
Bishop Stephen Conway’s Suspension and Investigation
The Rt Revd Stephen Conway has served as the Bishop of Lincoln since 2023. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Acting Bishop for more than a year, concurrently serving as the Bishop of Ely. The specific nature of the complaint leading to his current suspension has not been publicly disclosed, but its referral to both the NST and statutory authorities underscores the seriousness of the allegations being investigated.
This development is particularly notable given Bishop Conway’s history. He was named in the 2018 Makin Report, which investigated the abuses of the prolific abuser John Smyth. The report suggested that Bishop Conway, while serving as Bishop of Ely, may have failed to rigorously follow up on information he received in 2013 from a victim regarding Smyth’s abuses. This historical context adds a layer of scrutiny to the current safeguarding complaint.
Makin Report and Safeguarding Concerns Resurface
The Makin Report, published by the Church of England, detailed systemic failures in handling abuse allegations against John Smyth, a prominent evangelical figure. Bishop Conway’s mention in the report highlighted concerns about the Church’s responsiveness to victims’ disclosures. The resurfacing of this connection with his current suspension emphasizes the ongoing challenges and commitments within the Church of England to address past failings and ensure robust safeguarding practices.
The National Safeguarding Team is the central body responsible for overseeing and advising on safeguarding matters within the Church of England. Its involvement, alongside the referral to statutory authorities, indicates a comprehensive and legally mandated process is underway to investigate the complaint against Bishop Conway thoroughly and impartially.
Leadership Transition in Lincoln Diocese
The immediate transition of leadership to Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, the Bishop of Grantham, aims to ensure continuity within the Diocese of Lincoln during this period of investigation. Dr Chamberlain will manage the day-to-day spiritual and administrative responsibilities of the diocese, providing stability amidst the uncertainty. The diocesan statement urged the community to support one another and utilize available resources for pastoral care and safeguarding advice.
The suspension of a senior cleric like Bishop Conway, especially with links to past safeguarding reports, underscores the Church of England’s heightened commitment to accountability and transparency in handling abuse allegations, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to any perceived failures in protecting vulnerable individuals.