CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson is declining all overseas speaking engagements until a commission studying the effect of his consecration as the Anglican Communion’s first openly gay leader finishes its work.

Robinson said in deference to the commission, “I have decided to decline all public speaking engagements in provinces” outside of the United States until the commission is done.

“At that time, I will gladly join the international conversations about the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians as children of God and full members of the Church,” Robinson said in a statement Monday.

Anglican leaders warned that Robinson’s consecration last November could shatter the global Anglican Communion. The church’s official line rejects homosexual practice as “incompatible with Scripture.”

Shortly before Robinson was consecrated, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams named a mix of conservative and liberal church leaders to the commission to examine the crisis over homosexuality that is wracking the Anglican Communion. The commission is expected to release its report later this year.

The commission also was expected to study the blessings given to same-sex couples by the Canadian diocese of New Westminster in British Columbia

In his statement, Robinson said he has withdrawn from a March 11 debate at Oxford University on the role of gays in the church. He had accepted the invitation last year.

“I have thought and prayed long and hard about this wonderful invitation to speak at the Oxford Union,” said Robinson, who officially takes over for the retiring Bishop Douglas Theuner on Sunday. “It has now become clear to me that for me to participate would not be in the best interests of the Anglican Communion at this delicate moment in its history.”

The debate is being held at the 175-year-old Oxford Union, which brings international guests and speakers to Oxford University for debates on world issues.

AP-ES-03-01-04 1422EST