A church benefactor has been urged to change the wording on a decorative glass screen in which he gives “thanks for prayers answered”.

John Sclater, former president of insurance giant Equitable Life, offered the glass masterpiece to St Mary’s Church in Newick, near Lewes, in memory of his family.

But a consistory court judge questioned the suitability of the wording, which reads “Glory to God in the highest – with thanks for prayers answered”.

Mr Sclater was one of 15 former directors sued in a £3.7 billion negligence claim by Equitable Life’s new board after resigning in the wake of its near collapse in 2000.

Equitable Life slashed policyholders’ savings or pensions when it nearly collapsed, and more than a million British savers were affected.

The High Court case was eventually dropped.

At the hearing into the glass screen, Mark Hill, chancellor of the diocese of Chichester, said the words planned for the screen had a “particular and private meaning”.

In ruling on whether the screen should be allowed to be put up in the listed church, Chancellor Hill said: “To Mr Sclater the words are intended to relate, among other things, to the collapse of potentially costly litigation brought against him and others in connection with the Equitable Life Assurance Society.

“While undoubtedly of immense importance to Mr Sclater, they are not directly relevant to his parents or his grandparents and could turn the focus away from the memorialised and towards the benefactor.”

Chancellor Hill gave the go-ahead in principle for the screen.

However, he warned that the wording will have to be finally approved at a later date and suggested an alternative to the wording.

Chancellor Hill said: “This glass screen is intended to last for centuries and an eye must be had for posterity.

“A wording which is enigmatic and which carries a particular meaning known only to the benefactor ought to be avoided.”

He added that other individuals may have fared badly as a result of events concerning Equitable Life. The Argus was unable to contact Mr Sclater.