The sharpest drop was among 45- to 54-year-olds, only 11 per cent of whom identify with the CofE compared to 35 per cent in 2002.

The strongest affiliation with the church was among over-60s, but even there a minority of 30 per cent say they belong to the denomination.

It is the decline in young members which is particularly ominous for the CofE, however, because evidence suggests people rarely turn to organised religion later in life.

But this is misleading and inaccurate as it wrongly asserts that the Equality Act 2010 obliges schools as a 'requirement of the law' to teach children about 'the right for people to choose their identity and who they wish to love.' In fact, government guidance is clear that the Equality Act specifically does not apply to a school's curriculum and further spells out that no school or teacher is under any obligation to 'support, promote or endorse marriage of same sex couples.'

'One of the things which impedes that change of view (towards embracing same-sex marriage) in the life of the Church is a fear lest it be seen to be in any way compelled to make up its mind by external forces, even if that is not the intention of the amend­ment. I recognise it is not, very clearly. However, that external pres­sure would itself be a rallying call to those opposed to change.'

Would he get in trouble under the Clergy Discipline Measure for refusing to conduct a service celebrating a person's gender transition? Would he be disciplined by his bishop, prosecuted by the British State or both for Islamophobia for refusing to take part in a multi-faith service?