Residents across Cambridgeshire have reacted with shock tonight following the arrest of the former Bishop of Ely, the Right Reverend Stephen Conway, on suspicion of sexual assault. Lincolnshire Police confirmed that a 68-year-old man was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025.
The force said the suspect has since been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
Conway, who served as Bishop of Ely from 2010 until his departure in 2023, was formally installed as Bishop of Lincoln in November that year. During his 12-and-a-half-year tenure in Cambridgeshire, he was a prominent figure at Ely Cathedral, leading major diocesan initiatives and representing the Church of England in the House of Lords.
In a statement issued this evening (20 February 2026), the Diocese of Lincoln confirmed that Conway has been suspended from ministry.
The statement read: “The Bishop of Lincoln, The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, has been suspended from ministry while a complaint made to the National Safeguarding Team is responded to according to House of Bishops Code of Practice. This includes referral to the appropriate statutory authorities.
“The Bishop of Grantham, The Rt Revd Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will be performing the function of the Diocesan Bishop during this period. Support is in place for those affected and there will be no further comment while the process is ongoing.
“We understand that this will be a deeply unsettling time.”
The Diocese added that its safeguarding team is available via safeguarding@lincoln.anglican.org or 01522 504070. Independent support is also available through Safe Spaces (0300 303 1056) and ThirtyOneEight (0303 003 1111).
During his time in Ely, Bishop Conway oversaw the implementation of the Ely2025 diocesan strategy and frequently spoke about “living life in all its abundance”, a theme he returned to in sermons at Ely Cathedral.
In his farewell sermon in July 2023, he told the congregation: “There is no number one in the Diocese of Ely, only the disciples who worship and serve in our 300+ churches.” He also reflected on his years in Cambridgeshire, saying: “In all these twelve years journeying with you, I have lacked nothing by God’s grace and in your company.”
Conway left Ely in 2023 to take up the Lincoln post, with Sarah Clark subsequently approved as his successor as Bishop of Ely, with her installation expected later this year.
Church leaders in Cambridgeshire have declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The BBC reported the bishop has been released on conditional bail and stated that they have contacted him for comment.
