Disgraced bishop Peter Ball, who was jailed for sexually abusing young men, has died at the age of 87.
Ball was jailed in 2015 for sexually abusing 18 young men over three decades.
This was 20 years after allegations against him had been largely downplayed or overlooked by the church.
Bishop Peter Hancock, the Church of England's lead safeguarding bishop, said: "We have been made aware of the death of Peter Ball and our prayers and thoughts are with everyone affected by this news."
Church leaders are expected to make contact with Ball's survivors.
The Church will be offering support to his family as with anyone who is bereaved in the Church.
Ball, of Langport in Somerset, was Bishop of Lewes between 1977 and 1992 and Bishop of Gloucester from 1992 until he resigned the following year.
He was jailed for 32 months for offences against 18 teenagers and men over three decades.
He was released in 2017.
Ball's twin brother Michael was Bishop of Truro from 1990 to 1997.
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
