US church 'sorry' over gay bishop

The US diocese that appointed the openly gay Gene Robinson as its bishop says it regrets the "pain and confusion" it has caused the Anglican Church but will stand by its decision.

Senior members of the New Hampshire diocese spoke out after the Anglican Communion's Windsor Report called for an apology.

In a statement, the standing committee of the Episcopal Church diocese said: "We now realise more fully that our action

. . . has caused deep distress for many in our communion."

But it went on: "We affirm the ministry of our bishop."

Clergy and lay-people have already left the Episcopal Church in the US over the bishop.