The Archbishop of Canterbury kept a special communion service for gays so secret that he failed to tell the Bishop of London it was happening in his diocese, The Times has learnt.

Dr Rowan Williams inflamed the row over homosexuality which is tearing apart the Anglican Church when it was reported that he had agreed to hold a eucharist for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender clergy.

But even his critics have been taken aback to learn that he did so by making an incursion on to the patch of the Bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, without giving notice or seeking permission.

Dr Williams now risks being seen as, at best, discourteous and at worst, in breach of canon law, for sneaking into a church near the Tower of London under the Bishop’s nose. Canon law says that only a bishop can authorise services in his own diocese and infringements may result in an intruder being removed from office.

The gays’ venue of choice was drenched in symbolism. The stones and beams of the 7th century church of All Hallows by the Tower have borne witness to the persecution of misunderstood, but ultimately vindicated, Christians down the ages. The headless bodies of the martyr saints Sir Thomas More, John Fisher and William Laud were taken there after their executions at the Tower.

Lambeth Palace is justifying the sortie by relying on a rule designed to provide short-term stand-ins for sick or holidaying vicars. But a spokesman made no reply when The Times suggested that the Archbishop’s behaviour might be seen as rude.

The Bishop of London’s spokesman said: “The Bishop wasn’t aware it was taking place.” He described the event as a private function.

The spokesman was asked by The Times if he considered there had been a discourtesy. “I am not able to comment on that,” he replied.

Such security surrounded the communion service for priests, monks and nuns organised by the Clergy Consultation support group that the guestlist was shredded by Lambeth Palace.

The location was changed after the original venue, the liberal St Peter’s Church in Eaton Square, was “outed” on a hostile website.

Dr Williams’s covert methods are a gift to opponents threatening schism at next year’s Lambeth Conference.

The Times emailed the previous Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, a more conservative primate, to ask if such a thing would have happened in his day.

The 72-year-old replied promptly by Blackberry: “I am sure that Rowan was acting for the very best of reasons viz. to show that he cares for all and wishes to hold minorities in the church. What would I have done? I would not have agreed to a private Eucharist; after all, the Eucharist, by definition, is open to all Christians.

“I am surprised to hear that the Bishop of London’s permission was not sought. Check your facts. If that is so then it is a failure of courtesy but it could be a staff member’s fault! Happy Christmas”.

Lambeth Palace at first implied that it was acceptable to bypass the bishop because the invitation had come from an independent group rather than a parish.

Asked where canon law permits services without a bishop’s blessing, a spokesman pointed to Canon C8, paragraph 2 (a). This allows ministers to invite a “priest or deacon” to serve in their church for up to seven days without telling the bishop.

However, a canon lawyer said there was no wording in that rule which mentioned invitations to external bishops.

The Bishop of London now has the drastic option of reporting Dr Williams to the Archbishop of York who could order a tribunal hearing with ultimate powers of removal from office. Nobody is suggesting that the Bishop would exercise these rights but those familiar with him say he would be disappointed to have been kept in the dark.

The Rev Bertrand Olivier, vicar of All Hallows and a former convenor of Clergy Consultation, said: “It’s nothing to do with the Bishop. Why would the Bishop need to be told?”

The Rev Colin Coward, a gay priest at the gathering, said: “The consulation has always met in confidentiality of venue and time to preserve the safety of those who come.”

Traditionalists are dismayed that the Archbishop condoned practising gay clergy by choosing to give communion, instead of just listening to them. Canon Chris Sugden of Anglican Mainstream said: “Obviously they were wanting to communicate that this is acceptable behaviour for those who are at the table of the Lord.”

Archbishop of Canterbury

Incumbent Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, since 2002

Notorious for saying “It works quite well as legend”, as he dismissed the Nativity story’s Three Kings, snow, star and cattle, the week before Christmas

Most unfortunate predecessors Alphege (beaten to death by Danes using ox bones, 1012); Thomas a Becket (assassinated, 1170); Simon Sudbury (beheaded by peasants, 1381); Thomas Cranmer (burned at the stake, 1556)

Bishop of London

Incumbent Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, since 1995

Notorious for saying “Making selfish choices such as flying on holiday or buying a large car are a symptom of sin”

Most unfortunate predecessor Nicholas Ridley (burned at the stake, 1555)

Holy writ:

Canon C18 Of diocesan bishops

Every bishop is, within his diocese, the principal minister, and to him belongs the right . . . of ordering, controlling and authorising all services in churches

Canon C8 paragraph 2 Of ministers exercising their ministry

A minister duly ordained priest or deacon . . . may officiate in any place only after he has received authority to do so from the bishop of the diocese . . . Save that: (a) The minister having the cure of souls of a church . . . may allow a minister . . . to minister within their church or chapel for a period of not more than seven days . . . without reference to the bishop

Source: Canons of the Church of England