MINNEAPOLIS -- Allegations questioning the reputation of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson have delayed a vote whether he will become a bishop in the Episcopal Church, according to The Associated Press.

Robinson was elected by his diocese in New Hampshire. He would become the first openly homosexual bishop in the denomination. Church rules require the General Assembly to approve his election.

When bishops convened Aug. 4 to consider approving his election, allegations emerged that he inappropriately touched a man and that he is connected to a group with a Web site that can indirectly link users to pornography.

Robinson did not comment on the allegations. His spokesman, Mike Barwell, said Robinson is not panicked by the allegations.

"He's been amazingly calm," Barwell said. "We are not afraid."

Church officials are investigating the claims. There was no word of whether the investigation would conclude before the church's national meeting concludes Aug. 8.

"There is no precedent for this," said Jim Soldheim, a church spokesman. "The church's cannon lawyers are still sorting out the implications."

A man identifying himself as David Lewis made the allegation that Robinson inappropriately touched him during a conversation "a couple of years ago," according to the news report. The allegation came in an e-mail sent to several bishops. The sender asked bishops to vote down Robinson's election.

Robinson's relationship to a Web site belonging to a secular outreach program for homosexual and bisexual youth that he helped found is also being investigated, the news service reported.

The site contains a link to an unaffiliated site that had resources for bisexuals that, a few links away, provided access to pornography.

The American Anglican Council, which represents conservative bishops and parishes that are opposed to Robinson's election, said it still hoped he was rejected, but not because of the allegations.

"Gene deserves the right to defend himself," said Canon David Anderson, the council president.

The denomination has been deeply divided for decades over homosexuality and Robinson's election fueled the debate.

The American Anglican Council will meet in October to decide whether to break away from the church or take other action if Robinson is seated, the news service reported.

Like-minded bishops in the Anglican Communion, the 77-million-member global association that includes the Episcopal Church, is also considering severing ties with the denomination if Robinson wins.