New row looms over US gay bishops

A US Episcopal Church diocese has nominated a gay priest as a candidate for bishop, risking deepening a row with the global Anglican denomination.

The liberal diocese of Newark, New Jersey, named Canon Michael Barlowe as one of four candidates for the post.

A BBC correspondent says the move is a snub to the wider Anglican Church.

A week ago the Episcopal Church agreed to "exercise restraint" in consecrating gay bishops, after a furious row sparked by a previous appointment.

The Anglican Church has been in turmoil since the 2003 election of the gay bishop Gene Robinson in New Hampshire.

The denomination is struggling to prevent a split due to differences over the issue.
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