THE General Synod was brought to a halt on Friday afternoon when activists from Christian Climate Action interrupted proceedings.

In the middle of a debate on the Church of England’s routemap to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, protesters walked down from the public gallery and unfurled a banner that called on the Church to disinvest from fossil fuels.

A member of Synod took to the lectern to ask for standing orders to be suspended in order to allow the activists to speak, but this was denied by the chair. After a brief adjournment, the protesters were cleared from the chamber and the debate resumed.

Synod members voted overwhelmingly to approve the routemap.