The Bishop of Oxford has said he believes Christians are not treated with as much tolerance as followers of other religions.

The Rt Rev John Pritchard made the comments as a Christian nurse began her battle against a ban on working on hospital wards because she wore a cross around her neck.

The father-of-two also backed Government plans to provide compulsory sex education for seven-year-olds, as long as the content was “appropriate”.

He spoke out following an article published in last weekend’s Sunday Telegraph in which six prominent Bishops and a former Archbishop of Canterbury wrote to the paper claiming Christians were being “persecuted”.

Nurse Shirley Chaplin, of Kenn, near Exeter, took Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to a tribunal this week claiming she was moved to a desk job after refusing to remove her crucifix.

In the letter, the bishops claimed traditional beliefs were no longer being upheld.

Bishop John said while he did not support everything in the letter, he backed most of the sentiments expressed.

He said: “I was not shown the letter before it was sent, and while I agree with much of it, I would not have written in to a national newspaper.

“I am pleased Muslims are treated more sensitively, but they are given more tolerance than Christians.

“For example, there was the recent case of the nurse who was not allowed to wear her cross at work while a Muslim is allowed to wear a headscarf.

“Another nurse got into trouble when she asked a patient if they wanted her to pray for them.

“If the patient said no then it should have been the end of the matter.

“I would like to see things put on an even keel.”

Meanwhile, speaking about controversial Government plans to introduce sex education lessons for seven-year-olds, he said: “I don’t have a problem with it.

“As long as the content is appropriate, teaches about contraception and relationships then I’m not opposed to it.”

He added: “There is a wider issue here with Christianity in the public square.

“I think there’s a danger of society becoming ultra secular and throwing the baby out with the bath water.

“Our judgement of rights and respect is a product of Christian society and we should not cut ourselves off from that core framework of values.”

The Bishop will be presiding over an Easter vigil at St Michaels Church, in Marston Road, New Marston, tomorrow from 5.30am.