Labour and Conservative MPs, some of whom opposed same-sex marriage, reacted angrily, telling The Tablet that the bishop's intervention was "a tragedy" and that ordinary Catholics would be "appalled".

In an interview with the pro-life website LifeSiteNews, Bishop Egan said: "When people are not in communion with the Catholic Church ... in terms of the teachings of the Church on marriage and family life - they are voting in favour of same-sex marriage - then they shouldn't be receiving Holy Communion."

Of politicians in his own diocese who backed same-sex marriage, he said: "I personally would be in favour of saying that somebody should not be receiving communion."

However, he added that he would "have to act really with the other members of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales" and he called for his confreres to debate the issue. A spokesman for the Bishops' Conference said there were "no plans" for the bishops to discuss the proposal at their next meeting.

Forty-seven out of at least 82 Catholic MPs last year voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage when the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was passed in the House of Commons. The legislation was passed by 400 votes to 175.

Catholic supporters of same-sex marriage included Conservative Cabinet Ministers lain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary and Patrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary.

Among the backbenchers to criticise Bishop Egan's stance was Conor Burns, a Conservative MP who voted for same-sex marriage and whose Bournemouth West seat lies in the bishop's diocese.

"I think it is a great pity, indeed a tragedy, that this bishop appears not to have noticed that we have a new gentle shepherd preaching a Christ-like message of inclusivity, love tolerance and forgiveness. I look to the guidance of the Holy Father Pope Francis," said Mr Burns.

Labour's Siobhain McDonagh, who also voted for the legislation, said: "There are some old-fashioned diehards in the Church, just as there are in the wider community. But most Catholics I know would be horrified if anyone was barred from communion simply for voting to support other Catholics who are gay, or Catholic women who want the right to choose."

Stephen Pound, a Labour MP who voted against same-sex marriage, said that that denying Communion to those who voted in favour of it "seems wholly disproportionate".

He added: "As a Catholic who happens to be an MP I am constantly fighting against the accusations of a Vatican 'whip', and to impose the most terrifying of sanctions in this way guarantees that the unthinking misconceptions that some hold of the Church will be reinforced."

Bill Cash, the Conservative backbencher who also opposed the legislation, said it was wrong to bar MPs from taking communion based on how they voted.

No Catholic MP contacted by The Tablet backed the Bishop's comments.