An Anglican church that refuses to support same-sex unions has been shut down by its bishop, the National Post reported Tuesday.

Bishop Michael Ingham's decision to close the Holy Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is causing an even deeper division within the Anglican church over the issue of homosexuality.

However, Holy Cross priest, Rev. James Wagner, said Christmas Day mass will go ahead as planned.

"As far as the diocese is concerned we do not exist. We are a non-entity," Wagner told the Post. "But I will not abandon these people. I will continue to pastor and pray for them in the midst of this crisis."

Holy Cross, a mission church, is among a group of breakaway churches in New Westminster that was seeking episcopal oversight by Bishop Terry Buckle of the Yukon.

In October, the Diocesan Council of New Westminster withdrew funding from Holy Cross and voted to close it. Without any funding, Ingham was forced to approve the closure.

The other churches in the breakaway group do not rely on funding from the diocese and have been able to continue.

Ronald Harrison, executive archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster, said Holy Cross brought the closure upon itself by seeking episcopal oversight from another bishop.

Ingham's decision to back same-sex unions in part prompted a meeting of Anglican leaders in October in London.

The issue has caused problems in the 450-year-old Anglican church worldwide.

In the United States, there was an outcry after the Episcopal Church -- the American version of Anglican -- voted to consecrate an openly-gay bishop.

Rev. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is a father of two who has lived with his male partner for more than a decade. He has said the only way he would step aside is if he felt a personal call from God.