Updated.
The BBC reports that as Bishop Robinson began his sermon at St. Mary’s, Putney, a heckler interrupted the sermon and was escorted from the congregation.
The BBC described the situation this way:
It was a very Church of England way to deal with a heckler.
As a protester stood up to barrack the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, the world’s first openly gay Anglican Bishop, the congregation did not abuse or strongarm him.
Instead, they opened their Orders of Service and began to sing.
Hymn number four: Thine Be The Glory, Risen, Conquering Son.
But for all the almost parodic Englishness of the churchgoers’ response, this was an electrifying moment….
His address had begun unobtrusively enough among this largely liberal congregation, with a note of regret that human sexuality had become a point of focus for Anglicans rather than poverty and injustice.
How sad it was, Bishop Robinson remarked, that the Anglican Communion was “tearing itself apart” over the issue.
Then the heckler stood up.
“Because of heretics like you,” he hollered.
Long-haired and clutching a motorcycle helmet, the interlocutor did not look much like most people’s idea of a theological conservative.
But he yelled: “Go back, go back. Repent, repent, repent.”
Bishop Robinson grimaced. Boos echoed around the church. A slow handclap began.
Then Giles Fraser, the parish’s vicar, told his flock to open their hymn sheets.
The singing drowned out the heckles as the traditionalist was escorted from the building by churchwardens.
The congregation finished their verse. Silence was restored. With what looked like tears in his eyes, Bishop Robinson resumed his sermon, speaking softly this time.
“Pray for that man,” he said.
Rachel Zoll from the AP reports:
Robinson preached Sunday at the 16th-century parish on the Thames River, despite a request from Williams that he not do so. A protester briefly interrupted the sermon, waving a motorcycle helmet and yelling “Repent!” and “Heretic!” before he was escorted out.
An emotional Robinson resumed preaching, asking parishioners to “pray for that man” and urging them repeatedly not to fear change in the church.
The Bishop continued his sermon after heckler was escorted out and drove away on a motor bike, according to another BBC report:
Bishop Robinson went on to say: “This discussion of homosexuality we are having in the Church is not so significant because of what it says about homosexuality, but of what it says about God.
“When someone stands up and says homosexuality is an abomination, does that make you want to get to know God?”
Bishop Robinson emphasised that the congregation should reject fear.
He said: “I think God wants us to be bold, I think God wants us to take risks, I don’t think God wants us to be afraid.
“You know, whatever you think makes you unworthy, I don’t think God wants to hear it any more.”
“All you have to do is turn up and open up your heart.”
Among those in the congregation was Health Minister Ben Bradshaw. Speaking afterwards, Mr Bradshaw said the sermon was excellent and inspirational.
“He is a very brave man speaking the truth,” he added.
The end of the sermon was met with warm applause.
See the BBC article here and a video here. There is a later, more detailed report here.
Rachel Zoll report from the AP here.
Christian Today has a report here.
ITN has this report.