Shortly after Dr. Carey began his address, seven members of OutRage!, who had been seated in the congregation, climbed the stairs into the pulpit, and displayed placards deploring his support of antigay discrimination: in particular, his opposition to an equal age of consent and to gay marriage.

Cathedral security staff rapidly manhandled the demonstrators down the steps, cutting the hands of two activists in the process.

Peter Tatchell was wrested violently from the microphones as he explained the reason for the demonstration to the congregation, and was handed over to the police.

After being detained for nearly seven hours, he was charged under Section 2 of the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act of 1860 with behavior that is "riotous, violent, or indecent" in a church.

Tatchell is on bail to appear at Canterbury Magistrates' Court on the 15th May.

Dr. Carey opposes an equal age of consent and legal rights for gay couples. He supports discrimination against homosexuals in employment and in the fostering of children.

The Archbishop backs a discriminatory age of consent of 18 for gay men and endorses the ban on lesbian and gay foster parents by the Church of England Children's Society, (the only major adoption agency which continues to discriminate). He is against legislation to guarantee equal treatment for gay people in the workplace, and he condemns gay marriage.

Ironically, the Church has launched a "Millenium Challenge", in a bid to make itself 'relevant' to the lives of ordinary people in modern society.

Dr. Carey preached love and mutual understanding when he resumed his sermon: but not in support of same-sex affection or love.

Activists are asking can he accept the "OutRage! Challenge", and attempt to include the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender population in what they call "his pious thoughts."

The United Kingdom's-- Equality Alliance-- web site: http://equality-alliance.diversity.org.uk