Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson, who had arranged the trip, said: "I'm angry and very frustrated - it's a smack in the teeth.
"Given that I am not only an elected member of the council but a close family friend I asked the bishop to make the pastoral visit and he was keen to help.
"I have made the strongest representations to the foreign office about how badly let down we feel."
Michael's father, also Michael, 46, added: "We're very disappointed. Michael was looking forward to meeting the bishop and saying a prayer with him.
Michael Jnr was jailed for 15 years after being convicted of attacking a Bulgarian barman in the Golden Sands resort, despite another Liverpool man, Graham Sankey, confessing to the crime.
