Bishop Michael Hough, who has served the Ballarat Anglican diocese for the past seven years, conducted his final Ballarat and Hamilton services at the weekend.

Earlier this year there were calls for him to resign after concerns his leadership had failed.

Many cried during the sermon, including his wife as she gave a reading, praying to love those who had hurt them “by what they have said and what they have done”.

But it was during his homily that Bishop Hough drew the biggest response from the packed church.

He delivered a 30-minute long speech, laden with metaphors and criticisms of the diocese during his time as bishop.

“I was asked by a journalist if my going means that those who disagree with the direction of the diocese over the last few years have in fact won their guerrilla wars,” he said.

“From my perspective, nothing could be further from the truth.”

He went on to show the congregation a ceramic chalice made by local artist Rob Hurley.

Bishop Hough said he had asked Mr Hurley to make it as a way of representing him and helping him to understand how to assist the congregation.

He described it as a “beautiful pot” and one they had grown to love and cherish.

“But then along comes someone who hates the beauty of the pot, who resents the fact that it is slaking the thirst of the peoples in need of water,” he said.

“He does not want the pot there as he has a pot of his own which he thinks is better? …?so the bitter man gathers a few others around him who support him in his dark intent and they come and smash the pot to pieces.”

With that, Bishop Hough produced a hammer, put the chalice in a bag and, in front of the shocked congregation, destroyed it in front of the alter.

“The pot is gone forever. The evil one is happy as he can now put forward his own pot as the answer to the needy thirst of the people,” he said.

His sermon continued, as he discussed the work of Jesus and how he triumphed over those who plotted and contrived to have him destroyed.

“In the eyes of some, our Diocese is in disarray,” he said.

“We no longer have the same numbers of parishes and clergy that we had 20 years ago. We have a growing and very active and able body of lay ministers (and) women doing magnificent work in ordained ministry.

“Yes, the pot that was the church of 50 years ago is not the same pot of today.

“I have no idea where we are going, but I am confident and comfortable in leaving that in God’s hands.”

As the service ended, the congregation rose to a standing ovation as Bishop Hough and his family walked out of the church and many queued to talk to him as they left.

However Ballarat Laity Against Bullying spokesman Euan Thompson said although he didn’t attend the service, he was glad Bishop Hough was now moving on.

“It’s a great relief to us all that this unhappy man has gone,” he said.