London, Thanasis Gavos

Britain can no longer be described as a Christian country, say three quarters of Church of England priests in a major poll carried out for the Times newspaper.

Specifically, only 24% of clergy answered that Britain can continue to be characterized as a Christian country. 64% said that Britain can be described as Christian but only in historical and not current terms. 9% answered clearly that Britain could no longer be described as a Christian country.

It is noted that the data from the most recent census of 2021 showed that for the first time the residents who identify as Christian in England and Wales fell below 50%, to 46.2%.

The biggest increase was for those who say they have no religion. Specifically, they now make up 37.5% of the population, a percentage three times higher than in the 2001 census.

The survey also reveals a strong desire by Anglican clergy for major changes in their Church’s doctrine on issues such as sex, sexual orientation, marriage and the role of women in the priesthood, so that official church positions are more in line with mainstream public opinion.

For examplethe majority of clergy want same-sex marriages to begin in the churchbut also to end opposition to premarital and homosexual sex.

Many also report high levels of stress and fatigue, but also fear that the effort to reverse the declining numbers of church members will fail, possibly resulting in the “annihilation” of the Church.