In response, the panel, the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), has indicated that it might already have lined up female candidates to be interviewed as part of its two-day meeting starting on Dec 2. It held an initial meeting on Nov 3 to draw up a shortlist of candidates.
Read moreCounter-extremism campaigners, however, have expressed disappointment that the Church would choose an activist accused of connections with extremist groups.
Read moreImagine all these one million committed to generous, planned, sacrificial giving to the work of their local churches and to God's wider work in the world. Imagine them committed to practical love and good deeds in their local communities, work places, social networks, and schools and colleges.
Read more"What we are seeing is not a complete rejection of faith, belief in the divine, or spirituality, though there is some of that, but of institutional religion in the historic forms which are familiar to people."
Young people tended to be less skeptical. Roughly 30 per cent of 18-24 year olds believe that religion does more good than harm, while only 19 per cent of 55-64 year-olds agree.
Read moreSpeaking on Radio Cornwall, he said: "I'd been saying that for a while now so I think we have to come down and say it's five or six years."
Bishop Thornton said analysis of attendance figures was "all showing one thing".
He said: "I fear that we are on a steady decline at the moment."
The Diocese of Truro voted on 8 November 2014 for a 28% increase in the amount of money it needs from local churchgoers to reduce a £1.2m deficit over the next year.
END
Read moreThe latest part of the process took place at a recent meeting of the Church's bishops, when gay and transgender clergy and laity shared their stories with the bishops who were then split into small groups and urged to open up about their own sexuality.
The Bishop of Buckingham Alan Wilson subsequently claimed in a new book that as many as one in ten bishops were secretly gay. The campaigner Peter Tatchell has threatened to "out" these bishops if they do not out themselves.
Read moreIn the first couple of points there is an attempt to ground the reflection in theology. God’s “faithfulness” is interpreted as being an unfailing guarantee that whatever conclusion we come to in the debate on same sex relationships, God will not desert us.
Read moreTraditionalists were represented by Robert Neill, who spoke of the "generous" approach of Anglo-Catholics, and the desire to avoid undermining dialogue with "our Catholic and Orthodox brethren". The Church was committed to providing a place for traditionalists, Sir Tony said, "without a limited time". Ms Johnson later asked whether such a limit might be considered.
Read moreThe YouGov survey of more than 1,500 Anglican clergy commissioned by the Westminster Faith Debates for the current series on the future of the Church of England shows growing acceptance for other faiths, with more than four in ten believing that while Christianity is the "best path" to God, other religions may offer paths as well.
Read more"We have certainly had people from other faiths in the gallery who have been greeted by the synod, who have been welcomed," he added.
Mr. Nahdi is executive director of the Radical Middle Way faith group and founding editor of Muslim magazine Q News.
Atrocities
The panel will also feature the leader of the Coptic Christian Church in the UK, Bishop Angaelos, alongside the Bishops of Coventry and Leeds.
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