Bishop Stephen Conway, who has been serving as the Bishop of Lincoln since 2023, has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after Lincolnshire Police confirmed they were conducting an investigation regarding an incident that reportedly took place between 2018 and 2025. The 68-year-old bishop was taken into custody but has since been released on conditional bail as the investigation continues.

Following the complaint made to the Church of England's national safeguarding team, Bishop Conway has been suspended from his ministry. The Diocese of Lincoln has publicly acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and emphasized that support systems are in place for those affected by the allegations. They indicated that they are cooperating fully with the appropriate statutory authorities regarding the matter.

This arrest has raised significant concerns within the Church of England and among the community, given the nature of the allegations and the position of authority that Bishop Conway holds. The situation highlights ongoing issues surrounding safeguarding within religious organizations and the challenges they face in addressing historical abuse claims. Further developments in the investigation will be closely monitored by both legal authorities and the public, as they seek justice and transparency in this sensitive matter.