Matt Schaefer said he was deliberately prevented from taking part when the bread and wine passed him by at St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Canadian city of Warman, Saskatchewan.

Mr Schaefer said the incident was “so embarrassing” and that he contacted the church’s pastor in October for clarification about the incident.

He told Canadian broadcaster CBC News: “He called me, eventually.

“He asked me if I remembered confirmation class and the part on homosexuality.”

Mr Schaefer, who has been in a same-sex relationship for four-and-a-half years, attended St John’s in his younger years and remains a member.

He had been joining relatives at the church for a family wedding when the alleged incident happened.

In a statement seen by CBC News, Rev Randy Heide said his church holds on to traditional teaching on “all matters of life and faith”.

He added: “I sincerely care for and pray for this young man whom I have known and served periodically since high school.

“I have encouraged him to seek out a church in his community which would be able to regularly serve his spiritual needs.

“I continue to pray for the Lord’s hand of guidance upon him.”

The controversial ‘missionary’ bishop Andy Lines will lead the service which will see nine men become priests and deacons within the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE).

Bishop Andy told Premier their aim isn’t to split the global Anglican family.

He said: “Our supreme desire is mission and we share that with many churches within the structures of the Church of England.

“I, with my other hat of GAFCON UK, recognise that the majority of our brothers and sisters are still within the structures and we would like as AMiE to work alongside them.

“But the need is in this country for many more local churches to proclaim Christ.”

GAFCON, a worldwide group of conservative Anglicans, consecrated Bishop Andy as missionary bishop to Europe in June.

His responsibility was to cater for traditional Anglicans in Scotland, England and across Europe that disagreed with the Scottish Episcopal Church’s decision to allow gay weddings.

However, Rev Lee McMunn, AMiE’s mission director, said there is more to the mission than simply opposing the Church’s teachings on sexuality.

He explained: “It’s easy to be known for what you stand against but we want to be assisting in spreading the good news about Jesus, that’s our mission.”

Until now, AMiE’s clergy have either come from the Church of England or have been ordained by overseas bishops.

The nine men – eight will be ordained deacon, and one as priest – all had theological training and…

The Northamptonshire vicar and former popstar vicar had an early exit in this year’s competition, crashing out after just three dances with partner Dianne Buswell.

However he has maintained a keen interest in the programme and was “gutted” that his church duties stopped him from participating in the programme’s live tour.

Speaking about why he made the bet, he said: “I’ve always thought Alexandra (Burke) should be favourite but I’ve put money on Joe.

“I love Joe, he’s a lovely guy and he’s just brilliant. He gets better and better… I actually put 50 quid on Joe but I can’t remember the odds.”

McFadden has been labelled a dark horse of the competition by head judge Shirley Ballas and topped the leader board two weeks ago.

Rev Coles added he would also like to see Debbie McGee win as to have an older woman win it would be “terrific”.

The Parish Priest of St Mary’s Church, Finedon, Northamptonshire, is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number one hit single with pop band The Communards in the 1980s.

He has recently released a Christmas album full of his favourite festive tunes.

Explaining why he decided to release the album, he said: “I wanted to put together a Christmas album that went back to the stable in Bethlehem and…