The LGCM service will now be held elsewhere in Manchester

Reverend Derek Palmer, chaplain to Salford University, has quit as Area Dean of Salford and Reverend Peter Clark, vicar of St Luke's, Longsight, has resigned as Area Dean of Ardwick.

They are angry the cathedral has revoked an invitation to the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) to hold a service there during their conference in Manchester next month.

One of those who resigned said it was a "crass" decision.

Alienate Christians

Speaking to BBC News Online, Mr Clark said he could not represent the views of the senior members of the diocese because of a decision he felt would alienate many Christians.

The cathedral is meant to be open to all its people, and it can't pick and choose Reverend Peter Clark

"Manchester has just hosted Europride and the cathedral seems to be saying we don't want people like that here," he said

"It's just crass.

"The cathedral is meant to be open to all its people, and it can't pick and choose."

The diocese told the BBC that the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, did not want to comment further on the matter.

But the Archdeacon of Manchester, The Venerable Alan Wolstencroft, issued a statement which read: "We are sorry that two dedicated and highly regarded Area Deans have resigned because of their deeply held personal views.

'Principled and courageous'

"We are pleased that they will continue with their pastoral duties in Salford and Longsight."

Richard Kirker, LGCM general secretary, said it was inevitable that the cathedral's "inhospitable" reversal of its decision would lead to resignations.

"We think the two Area Deans have acted in a principled and courageous way," he told BBC News Online.

He added that since the decision they had been offered the use of several churches in Manchester as alternative venues.