But that's probably wishful thinking. That's because the issue of sexuality is different from many others on which Christians have varying practices. Nobody believes, for example, that baptism is a 'bad thing' or that divorce is in and of itself a 'good thing'. The range of practice in relation to each issue does not reflect underlying differences on the rights or wrongs of the thing under discussion itself. For all Christians, baptism is a matter for rejoicing, whereas divorce is sad.

The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, the Church's first female diocesan bishop, told The Telegraph: 'I don't want young girls or young boys to hear us constantly refer to God as he,' adding that it was important to be 'mindful of our language'.

It is not the first time Rt Rev Rachel Treweek has made these claims having said: 'God is not to be seen as male. God is god,' in the past.

"Five years ago, I said to the Chief Executive of Wonga that I wanted credit unions to compete him out of business. Well he's gone!," Archbishop Justin told the TUC during his speech. "Today I dream that governments, now and in the future, put church-run food banks out of business.

Allegiance has slipped from 16 per cent since the current Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, took up his post in 2013.

The British Social Attitudes survey said the loss of support has been worst among young people, with only one in 50 in the 18 to 24 age group identifying with the CofE.