A 42-year-old man was arrested when he disrupted a York Minster service attended by the archbishops of Canterbury and York.

It is understood he was trying to get into the church as the most senior clergymen present were processing towards the altar.

When stewards stopped him, he objected and allegedly assaulted two Minster staff members.

Neither was seriously injured and neither archbishop was involved The official Church of England Twitter account said the man had “personal health issues” and urged members to pray for him.

It is not believed the man had any political motive for his actions.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that a 42-year-old man, of no fixed address, had been arrested and the incident was being investigated.

The service for members of the Church of England General Synod, which was holding its July meeting in York, proceeded as scheduled. In his sermon, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, called for unity within the Church.

“Now is the time for us to set out on the mission Jesus Christ has given us together. Now is the time for boldness and unity,” he said.

“If we are to be of use to Christ we must do this in partnership, together.”

Meanwhile, the General Synod meeting at the University of York, formally endorsed an apology for Church of England failures over clerical child abuse.

Members of the Church’s national assembly backed an apology issued by the archbishops of Canterbury and York over failings in procedures to protect children, young people and adults from physical and sexual abuse by clergy and others.