The US Episcopal Church said it was postponing a vote that was expected to confirm the church's first openly gay bishop, following allegations the clergyman behaved improperly.
Church officials said they were putting off Gene Robinson's widely-expected appointment as bishop of New Hampshire pending an investigation of allegations that he touched another male inappropriately and promoted a hard core porn website.
"Questions have been raised and brought to my attention regarding the bishop-elect of New Hampshire," Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the church's general convention, said in a statement.
"The standing committee and the bishop of New Hampshire together with bishop elect Cannon Robinson have asked that a thorough investigation be undertaken before we proceed with seeking the consent of the bishops with jurisdiction.
"I will advise the bishops with jurisdiction as to when we might proceed."