Poor Father Arthur Mallinson.

The long-time Catholic priest resigned from his Dallas-area post yesterday as rumors swirled about his sexuality. Mallinson had moved to St. Michael's in McKinney just weeks ago and immediately found himself the subject of speculation after it was revealed he once contributed to a site for gay priests.

Father Mallinson's involvement with the site, which is defunct, briefly made news reports in 2002.

He told the diocese he had contributed to the site – which included his photo – when its purpose was to support gay priests in a celibate lifestyle but stopped in 2001 after others began posting pornographic material…

Celibacy is a requirement of Catholic priests.

Dallas Diocese officials insist Mallinson did nothing wrong and will soon find a new assignment. The decision to leave, they say, was his alone.