NEWARK — Nearly seven years after resigning as governor, Jim McGreevey has been rejected in his quest to join the priesthood of the Episcopal Church, according to a report on NYPost.com.

The report said McGreevey's bitter divorce from Dina Matos McGreevey was a big concern for church officials and one reason he was turned down. McGreevey resigned in 2004 when he declared himself "a gay American."

However, according to the report, it is very common for first-time applicants to be told they need to continue their studies or charitable work before joining the clergy.

He began studies at the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan in 2007 and graduated last spring with a master's in divinity.

The former Woodbridge mayor lives in Plainfield with his partner Mark O'Donnell.

Read the full story in the New York Post.

Previous coverage:

• Former N.J. Gov. McGreevey, five years later, insists he's 'Just Jim'

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