Protester hits gay bishop's sermon

As the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire was addressing a congregation in Putney, south west London on fear in the church, the man stood up and shouted: "Because of heretics like you".

As supporters of the controversial US bishop started to clap to drown out the protester's voice he repeatedly bellowed: "repent, repent, repent".

He was escorted out of the church and left on a motorbike with no action taken by police officers who were present outside St Mary's church. The church was packed with the congregation including Health Minister Ben Bradshaw to hear Bishop Robinson's sermon.

The Bishop concentrated on the subject of overcoming fear during the interrupted speech. He ended stating: "Do not be fearful about this church, let us work hard, let us not be walked on, but let us stand up for ourselves."

Warm applause broke out following the conclusion of the sermon, contrasting sharply with the slow hand-clap given to the protester.

Church leaders will gather on Wednesday for the once-in-a-decade Lambeth Conference - a meeting of Anglican bishops - which comes amid deepening rifts over the issues of homosexuality and women priests.

Earlier this month, conservatives within the church set up a splinter movement in rejection of the acceptance of gay bishops.

Bishop Robinson said he was "disappointed" the Archbishop of Canterbury was seemingly "bending over backwards" to "appease" traditionalists.

His omission from the list of invitees to the Lambeth Conference has been seen as an overture to the conservative wing of the church.