“I am convinced that the Church of England remains faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and will move forward rooted in the Christian faith as we have received it.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said:  “I was very glad when Lorna was elected to serve again on the Archbishops’ Council.

“Her prayerfulness, magnanimity, and her grasp of all matters in hand has been a great asset to us all, and I am sad that she has decided to resign.

“Those who elected her were of the view that she had much to give to the working of the Council, especially in the area of Renewal and Reform.

“However, I do not share her doubts that the Church of England will be part of God’s renewal of the Christian faith in this nation.

“I am convinced that the Church of England remains faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and will move forward rooted in the Christian faith as we have received it.

“I share Lorna’s passion to make disciples in all nations and her conviction that God will continue to build his Church in this nation.

“I certainly will miss her in our partnership in the Gospel.”