Religious freedom

Yet the Church, like the rest of us, faces a continuing problem in how it adapts to life in the 21st century, particularly when deeply-held beliefs conflict with the rights of others.

The case of Lillian Ladele, a Christian registrar, who broke

discrimination laws by refusing to conduct civil partnership

ceremonies, throws up a number of issues.

It is time that the position of people who were previously seen as expressing matters of conscience and who are now accused of acting in a discriminatory fashion, is clarified.

But the claim by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey

that this, and other high-profile collisions between the Church and the law was "illuminative of a future civil unrest" seem far-fetched.

Britain has an unparalleled reputation as a nation that respects religious rights. Parliament must ensure this remains a society in which the views of believers, and of those who practise alternative lifestyles, are respected.