A bill to disestablish the Church of England will be introduced in parliament, after being selected today from the House of Lords private members' bill ballot.
The Disestablishment of the Church of England bill, to be introduced by Liberal Democrat peer Paul Scriven, would formally separate the Church of England from the British state.
Lord Scriven said disestablishment is "long overdue" and that the Church's privileged position is "archaic and unacceptable".
The bill has been welcomed by the National Secular Society, which has campaigned for disestablishment since its founding in 1866.
The Church of England's established church effectively means it is the state religion of the United Kingdom.
They must be full members of the Church of England and must take an oath to maintain the Church during their coronation.
"We urge parliamentarians to support this bill as a commitment to fostering a society where all citizens are equally valued and respected. »
