US Episcopal leaders delayed a vote on whether to confirm the church's first openly gay elected bishop after allegations emerged that he inappropriately touched a man and posted a pornography link on a youth website, a church spokesman said.
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, head of the Episcopal Church, released a statement last night announcing the delay as a debate was about to start on whether to confirm the Rev Gene Robinson as New Hampshire's bishop.
"Questions have been raised and brought to my attention regarding the bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire," Bishop Griswold said.
He said that Rev Robinson, the current New Hampshire bishop and representatives of his diocese decided together "that a thorough investigation be undertaken before we proceed".
Mr Mike Barwell, a spokesman for Rev Robinson, said he planned to release a statement later. Mr James Solheim, a church spokesman, said the allegations of inappropriate contact had been e-mailed to bishops.
Ms Robyn Cotton, an Episcopalian in Concord, New Hampshire, and a supporter of Robinson, called the allegations "preposterous." "This is horrible. It's character assassination," Ms Cotton said.
On Sunday, the House of Deputies, a legislative body comprised of clergy and lay people from dioceses nationwide, approved Robinson by a 2-to-1 margin.
The House of Bishops, comprised of bishops from around the country, had been scheduled to vote on whether to ratify the election yesterday. It is not known when the vote would now be held.
AFP