In a statement on its website, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said: "The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today announced that the issues raised by Digital Cinema Media's (DCM) decision not to show a Church of England advert about the Lord's Prayer in cinemas, will be examined as part of a major Commission report.
"This report, examining the adequacy of the law protecting freedom of religion or belief, will be published early next year.
"The Commission, the national expert in equality and human rights law, has also offered its legal expertise for the purpose of intervening in the case should the Church take legal proceedings against DCM."
It is yet to be seen whether the Church of England will take up the EHRC's offer of legal help.
Digital Cinema Media (DCM), which deals with advertising for Cineworld, Odeon and Vue cinemas, originally chose to ban the advert because of its policy of not showing political or religious promotions.
The advert, which features the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Revd Justin Welby among others reciting parts of the Lord's Prayer, was due to be shown in conjunction with the new Star Wars film out next week in the run-up to Christmas.
The cinema chain's decision to ban the film has split opinion among Christians and non-Christians. Some have said the ban is an attack on free speech, made worse by the fact Britain is a Christian country, and that the film could not possibly be deemed offensive.
Others have said a cinema is not the place to show any form religious or political messages, particularly given the fact people have not consented to it.
DCM told the Mail on Sunday: "We remain confident in both the appropriateness and lawfulness of our neutral policy and as such are happy to assist the Commission as and when we hear from them."
The advertising agent was criticised earlier this week for allowing a short cartoon film featuring Hindu gods to air in its cinemas.
It said this was allowed because it was a short film accompanying a longer feature, and not an advertisement.
