RELIGIOUS leaders have reacted with dismay to comments made by a Government minister over the future of the Church of England.

Speaking to The Times newspaper yesterday, Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas, claimed that the Church of England would cease to be part of the establishment within the next 50-years as British society became increasingly multi-faith.

But the Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, and The Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Reverend John Goddard, hit back at Mr Woolas and said the Church of England still had a prominent role to play in society.

Headed by the monarchy, the Church of England has been part of the state since the Reformation started by Henry VIII in the 1500s.

The debate was started when Mr Woolas said: “Disestablishment – I think it will happen because it’s the way things are going.

"Once you open debate about reform of the House of Lords you open up debate about the make-up of the House.

"It will probably take 50 years, but a modern society is multi-faith.”

And while the Very Rev Armstrong admitted that disestablishment would allow the church to be more critical of Government, he said it was essential that it remained in its current state.

He said: “Woolas’ reaction is superficial. The church is for the good of all people and while it is going through a membership crisis, that does not mean our message is less important.

“In our area the church plays an important role in education and it would be hard for the Government to shrug off that partnership.”

The Rt Rev Goddard said the Church of England played a key role in the life of the nation as highlighted by events such as the funeral of Princess Diana.

He said: “it would be a sad day if the church was not serving the nation in this way.

"Establishment of the church allows us to serve the whole nation and that is a really good thing in our country.”

Both men thought that Mr Woolas was wrong in his view that the Church of England would be disestablished, and the Rt Rev Goddard said it had an important role to play in connecting with other faiths that make up East Lancashire society.