The Bishop of Buckingham accused the Church of "duplicity and hypocrisy" and said it has its "eyes wide shut" on homosexuality and relationships.
Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson made the remarks in a new book that launches next week, which urges the Church to change its stance on sexuality.
According to The Daily Telegraph, he rejects the idea that the Bible condemns gay marriage and claims Church teaching is not based on Jesus, but rather on the 'cultural dictates' of 'grandparents'.
He said: "To most English people under 40 a discussion of gay bishops or same-sex marriage feels as relevant and inviting as one about women being allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia."
The book, titled More Perfect Union?, makes the claim that one in 10 bishops could be gay but may be afraid to speak up because of a "tiny clique of reactionary activists".
He said: "Many who have publicly resisted same-sex marriage also have a dog in the fight arising from personal experience.
"This can arise from ambivalence or guilt about ways they have handled family members who have come out as gay, as well as their own sexualities.
"Particular attention sometimes falls on one vulnerable group with especially complex needs – gay Church of England bishops.
"By 2014 there were said to be a dozen or so gay bishops.
"By definition, these men are outstanding priests who have managed to navigate the complexities of a structurally homophobic institution well enough to become its iconic representatives.
"They may well have a bigger investment than others in keeping the closet door tightly shut.
"They have more on the line than some others.
"They also have greater status and security, but some of them may end up among the last people able to understand the need for change and bring it about.
"This can be expected to be the case especially for gay evangelical bishops, with their historically less well developed networks and support systems."
He added: "Jesus didn't say anything about being gay, he did say an enormous amount about the professional guardians of the sacred who take themselves too seriously."