Police were called to a disturbance at a church as hundreds of worshippers mounted a sit-in protest against a visiting bishop.

About 400 members of the congregation of St Mary and St Abraam Coptic Orthodox Church in Hove have taken part in a demonstration, which started last Friday.

About 100 were still occupying the downstairs hall of the church in Davigdor Road, Hove, yesterday, claiming their long-serving priest had been ousted.

Father Zakaria Botros Henein, 69, said he was forced into retiring after 11 years by a bishop sent from Australia to unite warring factions within the church.

Father Zakaria's supporters have promised to stay praying in the building until Pope Shenouda III, head of the church in Egypt, sends delegates to resolve the row.

Followers of Bishop Daniel, the Church's leader in Sydney, who has taken temporary control, have continued using the church for services.

But trouble flared on Saturday night when one protester, 50-year-old Eziss Boutros, refused to hand over hymn books.

She alleged she was pushed down stairs, bruising her leg. Police were called but she has decided not to press charges.

Father Zakaria, of Davigdor Road, claims he was told to stay away from the church after Bishop Daniel's arrival on January 11.

He had offered to retire when Pope Shenouda was told of reported tensions at the church last year rather than take up a suggested move to Denmark.

Father Zkaraya said any ill-feeling was whipped up by Bishop Daniel.

He said: "The bishop started saying I had money problems and that I was a Protestant. He disgraced me in front of my congregation.

"I could have gone to the police but I did not want to cause more trouble. I put the matter in the hands of God.

"I did not encourage anyone but people started saying they would stay in the church building in protest. The bishop did not expect people to react like this."

One of the protesters, Antonyos Philips, from Kemp Town, Brighton, said: "We have been trying to keep this peaceful.

"There were not any problems in the church until all this happened when the bishop arrived on January 11. That is what has divided everyone.

"We cannot believe how our priest can be treated in this way."

Gamal Fahmi said: "We will not be happy until our voice is heard by the Pope in Cairo."

Bishop Daniel said he was merely acting on a papal resolution and that Father Zakaria had offered to retire last August.

He denied Father Zakaria had been treated unfairly and said churchgoers should not blame him for merely being "the messenger".

He said: "I have nothing to do with this decree. I can't modify it.

"Father Zakaria was perfectly happy when I told him on January 11 the Pope had accepted his retirement. There have not been any complaints about him."

Bishop Daniel said he and the Pope would try to find a replacement for Father Zakaria as soon as possible.