A vicar has been sacked after being accused of spitting at parishioners and sending them bullying letters and e-mails.

The Rev Dr Tom Ambrose, 61, of St Mary and Michael Church in Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, was disqualified by the Bishop of Ely from "carrying out the functions of his office" after a Church of England tribunal heard accusations he had bullied his congregation.

The five-day hearing heard what the congregation claimed was evidence of the "arrogant, aggressive, rude, bullying, high-handed, disorganised and, at times, petty behaviour of Dr Ambrose".

It was alleged that the vicar sent members of the congregation threatening letters and emails when they opposed him.

He also upset some parishioners by introducing slide show presentations instead of sermons and using so much incense in the church that church-goers felt sick, the tribunal heard.

The vicar was accused of spitting at parishioners on two occasions as well as felling five trees in the churchyard without appropriate consultation.

In a letter to the vicar and those who brought the tribunal, the Bishop of Ely, wrote: “I am astonished and dismayed that there are recorded two occasions on which it is said that Dr Ambrose spat at parishioner, allegations which were not challenged in cross-examination.

“These incidents may be seen as among the lowest points of what plainly became an increasingly unhappy relationship between Dr Ambrose and his parishioners as charted in the report.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Ely said: “After careful consideration, the Bishop of Ely, Dr Anthony Russell, has accepted the advice of the tribunal.

“He has executed a declaration of avoidance declaring the benefice vacant from July 9 2008.

“He has also made an order, as he is required to do under the Measure, disqualifying Dr Ambrose from carrying out any of the functions of his office. This disqualification has immediate effect.”

A Diocesan spokesman said Dr Ambrose remained a vicar. He explained: “He has not lost his orders, essentially he’s lost his job.”

He added that the bishop “hopes it will now be possible to bring this unhappy period to a conclusion”.