The request comes while investigations continue over Slipper's alleged mis-use of tax payer money and allegations that Slipper made sexual advances at a male staff member.

"It is right for anyone accused of serious misconduct in public life, whether in church life or political life, to stand aside until the processes of justice reach a conclusion," Australian leader of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), Archbishop Hepworth said.

Slipper is also the chief legal adviser to Archbishop Hepworth.

"Ministers of the crown and cardinals of the church have followed this sound principle in recent years in Australia; otherwise, the integrity of our core institutions is eroded, and our expectations of public morality further decay.

"As Peter Slipper's archbishop, I applaud his decision to stand aside as Speaker, and am seeking a similar decision in relation to his public functions in the church."

The decision was an awkward one for Hepworth, who considers Slipper a personal friend.

"I have agonised over it because we have been friends for a long time and I greatly respect his work both in the church and in the parliament," he said.

"I am a longstanding friend of both Peter and his wife, Inge, about whom I am extremely concerned. I also greatly respect his voting record in parliament on a range of contentious moral issues."

According to the Australian, Slipper was ordained a priest of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia, a member church of the Traditional Anglican Communion, in 2008, after serving as a deacon since 2003. While he is a priest, it is understood he is licensed by the church to celebrate only private masses.

Sources

• The Australian
• Image: The Age

He had planned to step down at Easter after bishops in several countries lost confidence in him and opposed his attempts to reunite with Rome.

The Traditional Anglican Communion will also remain fully Anglican.