The 35-page report, which was obtained by The Jerusalem Post, states that the bishop's actions constituted a "dramatic combination" of nepotism and violation of trust.

"There was no doubt that the bishop's tactics and behavior...had a dramatic combination of nepotism and violation of trust, particularly in not consulting those responsible in the Church institutions such as the boards of the School," the report states.

At a confidential meeting at Lambeth Palace on Tuesday, they urged Dr Williams to create a parallel structure to free them from the interference of liberal bishops or risk a revolt against his authority.

The group, an unprecedented coalition of evangelical organisations and networks, is powerful because it represents about a fifth of all the Church of England's churches.

That is why we were so taken aback when the next direct communication from you to our vestry was the cold, sharp, and threatening letter you sent us all last Friday. What an unpleasant reversal! Beyond our great concern about what it may be revealing to us about you as an individual and your style of dealing with us, we are honestly confused about your intent.

"We believe that we own the property, the building," Bruner said.

But Bishop John C. Buchanan, the diocese's interim bishop, disagreed just as forthrightly.

"That property is held in trust for the Diocese of Southern Virginia and the national Episcopal Church," he said.