Liverpool church leader quits over 'homophobia and misogyny'

The Church of England has been accused of "institutional homophobia and misogyny" by the man in charge of one of its parishes.

Reverend Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, the Rector of Our Lady and St Nicholas Church in Liverpool city centre, made the comments as he resigned his post.

He claimed the Church of England "perpetuates bias and discrimination".

The Church of England has been contacted for comment.

In a statement on X, Dr Pailing, who has led the congregation for 10 years, blamed "institutional validation of homophobic and misogynistic views in the Church" for his decision to quit.

Dr Pailing, who was awarded an MBE for services to the community in December, strongly advocates for same-sex marriage and opposite-sex marriage to be treated equally.

He said: "I cannot, in good conscience, continue to have a representative role in an organization which perpetuates bias and discrimination against sections of society on the grounds of sexuality, race, and gender.

"In the last few years I have seen the institutional validation of homophobic and misogynistic views in the Church, and I cannot endorse this.

"The obvious and lamentable failure of safeguarding across the church is itself an abuse, and a further assault on the image of God."

Dr Pailing said Liverpool Parish Church - situated near the Pier Head and known locally as The Sailors' church - has "one of the most significant civic roles in the country, and during the last few years the congregation has changed and grown in every way".

He said the majority of people active at the church were inclusive, which he said was in contrast to the wider institution.

He thanked the two Bishops of Liverpool under whom he had served, Paul Bayes and John Perumbalath, "for their exceptional leadership on these matters", adding both had "taken a significant public stance against the discrimination which many experience".

Dr Pailing said he will be taking up a role in the charity sector in the summer.

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