The rage culture of modern society is closing in on many clergy

Roger Lyons, MSF

The increasing level of attacks has prompted the union to offer London clergy Tae kwon do self defence classes - as used by the Korean Army.

MSF General Secretary Roger Lyons said the lessons were an offer of assistance.

"We feel many clergy are left completely open to violent people," he told BBC Radio 4.

"They want to make themselves completely open, with full access to the public, but at the same time that can leave them exposed.

"With Tae kwon do they can turn the aggression of the attacker on the attacker without being too violent themselves.

Onward Christian soldiers

The report from the Royal Holloway College of London University showed that seven out of 10 members of the clergy had experienced some form of violence.

A similar number had been verbally abused by people ranging from beggars to members of their own congregations who had been denied a preferred wedding date.

Every year at least one member of the clergy is killed at work.

The Church of England has a responsibility to keep their employees safe at work.

But the unique role of the post can pose difficulties, said Mr Lyons.

The offer of voluntary Tae kwon do lessons was agreed by the MSF union's clergy national committee.

The section's head, the Reverend Bill Ward said: "Most clergy receive no training at all in dealing with violent people so we are making a start with our own self-defence classes.

"It is a sad fact of modern life that members of the clergy will come into contact with individuals who are likely to resort to violence."

A union survey of 25 members of the clergy in South East England showed that one in five had been threatened with harm in the previous two years, often when they were in their own home.

Almost half the threats were made by callers to the door seeking pastoral care or money, while some incidents took place in church grounds.

The MSF is sponsoring a Dignity At Work Bill which aims to give workers greater protection from bullying and harassment.