The announcement came a day after the Rev. Emmanuel Milingo had an audience with Pope John Paul II in what the Vatican said was the start of a dialogue it hoped could ``lead to positive developments.''

Milingo said Wednesday the pontiff asked him to think about what he had done.

``I must reflect,'' Milingo told a news conference. ``I must examine my conscience.''

But he stressed that any decision on how to proceed was not his alone to make.

``By this time, I am no longer single and I must consider another person -- my wife -- and her human rights,'' he said. ``Also my wife must understand the church's reasons.''

The Vatican had threatened to kick Milingo out of the church if he doesn't leave his wife by Aug. 20, sever ties with Moon's movement and remain celibate.

A Vatican official briefing reporters said no new deadline was set and it will likely take some time to resolve the case. A second meeting between the pope and Milingo was scheduled for Friday.

Milingo had sought to explain to the pope his reasons for marrying and his belief that priests should be allowed to have families. He has said that celibacy has fulfilled its purpose but is now poisoning the priesthood.

The 71-year-old archbishop was married May 27 in a group ceremony at a New York hotel in one of Moon's mass weddings. His bride, 43-year-old Maria Sung, was selected by Moon, as is customary in Moon's movement.

After the wedding, Milingo asked to be released from his vow of celibacy. But the Rev. Phillip Schanker of Moon's Family Federation for World Peace and Unification -- and Milingo's own official website -- said Milingo consummated the marriage before hearing from the Vatican.

Milingo dodged reporters' questions Wednesday about whether his marriage was actually legally registered.

``The less said the better about these details,'' Milingo said. ``And let's have respect for my wife. Besides, we are in a process that's already under way, and I can't speak about it.''