Controversial gay American Bishop Gene Robinson has a bodyguard and wears a bulletproof vest for fear of being attacked.

He made the revelation during an address at Kent University last night.

The Bishop of New Hampshire, the only clergyman ever to have been barred from attending the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference, which is being held at the university, spoke to a packed lecture theatre at the Kent Business School.

His talk, The Lambeth Conference: A View from the Fringe, took a critical and candid look at how the Bible interprets homosexuality.

Quoting extensively from the scriptures, he challenged traditional perceptions of same sex relationships and placed his own modern slant on the gospel.

“Heterosexism is the problem with today’s society,” said Bishop Robinson. “Homosexual families are still viewed as second class citizens, but what we are seeing today is the death of patriarchy.”

He added: “In order for the Church to come round to the idea of gay marriage, we need to separate the civil right from the religious right.

“If we can do that, we might get more religious support for the issue.”

However, he claimed one day the Church will come round to the idea of accepting gay and lesbian Bishops, but probably not in his lifetime.

“We will make some bad choices along the road, but I believe we will get it right in the end,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time to be alive. There are live issues floating around the Church to do with civil rights, but I think God’s heart would break to see people marginalised.”

Bishop Robinson admitted even Jesus possibly would not be welcome to attend the Lambeth Conference for the views he once held.

“I think Jesus might find himself on the fringe like me, and not inside the big top with the so-called powers that be!”

Bishop Robinson received a warm reception from the 150-strong audience. A fire alarm going off inside the building cut short his question and answer session, where he admitted to backing Barack Obama in the up coming US Presidential election and being a prominent supporter of same sex adoption.

He is expected to continue attending fringe sessions at the Lambeth Conference, which runs until August 3.