THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, has rejected reports that he has decided to delay his retirement.

A national newspaper said that Dr Hope had cancelled his retirement plans to help the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, through its deepening crisis over the appointment of a gay bishop in America.

But the Rev Rob Marshall, spokesman for the Archbishop, said Dr Hope had not made any decision as to when he will retire.

Mr Marshall said: "No decision has been taken as to when the Archbishop will retire. He is keeping all his options open.

"He recognises that the Archbishop of Canterbury needs his full support and is in full contact with Dr Williams - they work very closely together.

"His retirement plans will take that into account."

Mr Marshall said that it was true that Dr Hope had been hoping to retire next year, after he turns 64 in April.

Having been in York for eight years, the latest the Archbishop will be able to retire is in six years' time, at the age of 70.

The previous Archbishop of York, Lord Habgood, also delayed his retirement from the post after Dr George Carey was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991.

Mr Marshall said Dr Hope would like to return to a parish, but stressed that he had not made any announcement yet as to when that might happen.

However, it is likely that the Archbishop will stay on in office for a further two years to help his colleague Dr Williams steer the Anglican Church through one of the most troubled periods in its history.

If Dr Hope does stay on, he will chair at least two more General Synods in York.

Dr Williams's aim is to prevent the church from splitting after a meeting of the primates last week revealed deep ructions in the Anglican Church over the issue of homosexuality.

At the centre of the dispute is Canon Gene Robinson, who will be appointed Bishop of New Hampshire, in America, on Sunday.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, October 27, 2003