Disgraced pastor cuts ties with old church

COLORADO SPRINGS, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Ted Haggard, former pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, has ended his official relationship with the mega church he founded.

Haggard was fired from New Life in November 2006 after he admitted to "sexual immorality" when allegations surfaced that he visited a gay male escort, the Denver Post said Wednesday. Several months later he agreed to enter a process of "spiritual restoration."

Brady Boyd, current pastor at New Life Church, sent a letter to parishioners and the media Monday saying Haggard recently requested to end his official relationship with the New Life Church Restoration Team.

"New Life Church recognizes the process of restoring Ted Haggard is incomplete and maintains its original stance that he should not return to vocational ministry," Boyd said in the letter. "However, we wish him and his family only success in the future."

Haggard and his family now live and attend church in Phoenix, Ariz.