After serving nearly five years as Bishop of Alaska, the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston has written to the diocesan standing committee tendering his resignation effective at year's end.

In a telephone interview, Bishop Charleston said the decision to "step down from my lifelong work was incredibly painful," and was reached after "I spent the summer struggling with this."

Bishop Charleston said he finds himself in the position of single parent of a 16-year-old son. "I need to provide full-time support for my family during a time of great need," he said, but as Bishop of Alaska he was "on the road 70 percent of the time.

"I love Alaska," he said. "It isn't right to have a bishop with a broken wing. The diocese is strong and healthy."

Bishop Charleston said he announced his intention with sufficient time before the diocesan convention in November and the end of the year. "People in Alaska were not surprised," he said, adding that he had been open about problems with the people of the diocese.

"I'm very close to [my son] Nick," he said, "and I'm a good parent.

"Families must be the priority. If we try to live out the gospel, we keep the Lord's command to love in front of us."

Bishop Charleston said he did not know what he would do next, and had no plans.

"I have talent, energy, vision, hope - I think I'm a pretty good teacher - I hope someone in the church has need of me.

"This is stepping off into a void holding the hand of someone you love."