The head of Italy's bishops has received a bullet in the post, the latest in a series of threats that have led to increased security since he made remarks that angered homosexuals.

Investigative sources said on Sunday that Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco received an envelope containing the bullet on Friday morning, along with a picture of himself with a swastika drawn on to it.

Earlier this month, Bagnasco was put under police escort after graffiti reading "Shame On You Bagnasco" appeared on Genoa's San Lorenzo Cathedral where he is archbishop.

That followed a speech Bagnasco made, putting the case against gay marriage, comments which he says were taken out of context by the media.

"Why say 'no' to forms of legally recognised co-habitation which create alternatives to the family? Why say 'no' to incest?" Bagnasco told a meeting of Church workers, illustrating his opposition to relaxing social mores.

"Why say 'no' to the paedophile party in Holland?" he added, referring to the Dutch Brotherly Love, Freedom and Diversity party which wants to cut the age of consent from 16 to 12 and legalise child pornography.

Bagnasco's supporters said he did not intend to equate homosexuality with paedophilia. Pope Benedict appointed Bagnasco to head Italy's bishops conference in March, shortly after the Italian government issued a bill that would grant certain legal rights to non-married couples, including homosexuals.

The Catholic Church is against the law which it says dents the position of traditional marriage in society.

(Reuters)