Controversial Anglican priest Father William Hayward dropped dead yesterday while worshipping in the congregation of St. John?s Church.

St. Anne?s Reverend Michael Davis said he had been told Mr. Hayward had been sitting next to his brother Michael when he died.

?He sang his heart out ? louder than usual ? sat down, then slumped but they could not revive him.?

Mr. Hayward, 62, suffered from chronic diabetes and had a heart valve fitted many years ago.

Archdeacon Arnold Hollis said controversy surrounding Mr. Hayward had taken its toll.

Last year he was suspended as pastor of St. Mark?s Church after a three-year battle during which parishioners had frequently called for his resignation. They had also tried to block his initial appointment.

There had been concerns over his stamina, the church finances and the fall in the congregation.

?Because he was single, they wanted to make it appear there were other difficulties,? said Archdeacon Hollis. ?It was so unfortunate because in many ways he had a rough life to a great degree.

?We have lost a good priest, a very good priest.

?Because of the lengthy trials and tribulations ? he wanted to be a priest, became a priest and had ongoing difficulties ? because of that, it wore him down to a great extend I am sure.

?In later years he looked a fairly beaten person but he was a good person.?

He said Mr. Hayward had been totally dedicated to St. John?s.

?He was baptised there, was confirmed there, he was brought up in the parish of St. John?s and, of course, he died there while in the act of worship.

?I am given to understand he was enjoying the song and singing just prior to his collapse.?

He described Mr. Hayward as being old fashioned in his attitude to his religion.

?His life was made pretty rough but in those circumstances he still maintained a sense of duty and decorum.

?I have been sitting here and reflecting on what has happened and in some ways he reminded me of the suffering servant, Jesus who suffered so much.?

Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray said: ?It was with much sadness that I learned of the sudden death of Fr. William Hayward this morning.

?I understand that it happened in the midst of the Sunday Parish Eucharist at St. John?s in Pembroke.

?Though he had had some health problems of late, yet the suddenness of his dying comes as a considerable shock to all members of the Anglican Church of Bermuda.

?My prayers and sympathy and that of the whole Church, goes out to his mother, brother and sister at this sad time.?