LONDON: The Church of England has accused the European Union of neglecting its Christian heritage and warned that it is at risk of creating ''secular tyranny''.

In a hard-hitting report on the failures of officials in Brussels, the church says Europe has been left ''more uncertain of its future and more mistrusted by its citizens than ever before''.

Commissioned by the church's bishops, the document argues the European Parliament is suffering from a ''democratic deficit'' and expresses concern that the continent faces ''a perfect storm''.

It is critical of the way that politicians have marginalised Christianity and calls on them to build a more united society by promoting values that are influenced by religious principles.

The comments come as church leaders have stepped up their battle to defend the freedom of worshippers, with a former Archbishop of Canterbury last week attacking ''disturbing'' and ''dangerous'' rulings made by judges in religious discrimination cases in Britain.