THE Bishop of Salisbury is investigating after a Winchester bishop reportedly crossed over into the diocese uninvited to commission a new church - which goes against Church of England protocol.

The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam said he was “seeking clarification” after the Rt Revd John Ellison held a formal thanksgiving and commission service at Christ Church, Salisbury, on 6 December, without notifying him first.

Christ Church - linked to the conservative breakaway group Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) - has been meeting since the summer.

AMiE describes itself as "a mission society that seeks to promote gospel growth in England by supporting Anglican churches and individuals, both within and outside present Church of England structures".

A statement from the Diocese of Salisbury said Bishop Ellison, who is chairman of the Panel of Bishops of AMiE, had postponed two meetings to discuss the matter due to illness.

The statement also questioned the need for another Anglican church in the city.

It said: “Ideally we might want to welcome Christ Church as fellow workers in Christ, but we also wonder why another church explicitly for Anglicans is needed in Salisbury when the broad spectrum of Anglican identities is already catered for.”

The Rector of Christ Church, the Revd Matthew Mason, told the Church Times: "Christ Church Salisbury started last July with the aim of reaching unchurched people with the good news of Jesus.

“Sadly, the vast majority of Salisbury's population don't attend church and don't know Christ.

“We're therefore delighted that there are other churches who share our gospel ambition, and we want to work with them.

“We're also praying that other people will plant more new churches here. There's lots of room for Christ's Kingdom to grow."

Bishop Ellison is the retired Bishop of Paraguay and now an honorary assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Winchester.

The Diocese of Winchester declined to comment.