The rector of Liverpool Parish Church has resigned after accusing the Church of England of “homophobia and misogyny”.

In a statement on social media site X, Rev Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, the Rector of Our Lady and St Nicholas Church said he had announced in church on Sunday that:

"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."

Canon Pailing who is a supporter of same-sex marriage, has been rector of Liverpool since 2014 and was made MBE for services to the community in December.

He said he will leave the church in the summer to take up a role in the charity sector.

His social media post also paid tribute to the people of Liverpool Parish Church and particularly those who had “spoken with courageous and prophetic voices.” He also thanked the two bishops under whom he has served – Rt Rev Paul Bayes and Rt Rev John Perumbalath - “for their significant public stance against the discrimination which many experience.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Liverpool said: “Naturally, we are saddened that Father Crispin has decided to leave Liverpool Parish Church and parish ministry. His departure will be the loss of a fine priest who has had many achievements whilst in Liverpool, and we thank him for all the work he has done.

“We wish Father Crispin all the best in his new career, which we are sure he will excel at.”

Last year, the Church of England’s General Synod, approved church blessings for same-sex couples. However, the issue continues to cause tension between traditionalists and those who hold a more liberal view.