Episcopal chief concerned by gay candidates on California bishop
By RACHEL ZOLL
AP Religion Writer

The head of the U.S. Episcopal Church said Wednesday it would create "definite difficulty" between the denomination and fellow Anglicans worldwide if the Diocese of California elects an openly gay bishop.

The diocese announced additional candidates for the job last week. Three of the seven candidates in the May 6 balloting have same-sex partners.

The Episcopal Church caused an uproar in the Anglican Communion when it consecrated New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson in 2003. Robinson lives with his longtime male partner.

"I do think it would be fair to say that a bishop in a same-sex relationship would create definite difficulty in the life of the Communion," Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said in an interview.

However, he noted church governance allows each diocese to choose its leader, and he said it would be inappropriate for him to interfere.His comments came as Episcopal bishops ended a closed-door retreat in Hendersonville, N.C., and released a statement emphasizing their desire to remain within the 77 million-member Communion. The rest