The diocese paid its former spokesman more than $100,000 after the married man filed the complaint against the bishop in September, The Tampa Tribune learned earlier this week.

In a 2 p.m. news conference, Lynch said a church investigation found the allegations to be unfounded. The diocese offered former spokesman William Urbanski another job, but he declined, Lynch said.

Lynch said he considered himself a friend of Urbanski, his wife and children and was surprised by the sexual harassment complaint.

"In this instance, I haven't done anything wrong," said Lynch, who met with 55 priests in the diocese about two hours before the news conference.

Joseph DiVito, a lawyer for the diocese, said that when Urbanski decided to leave his job he was paid a severance package that amounted to about a year's salary and benefits costs. Urbanski was not prohibited from discussing the matter, he said.

"The diocese does not buy silence in St. Petersburg," DiVito said.

Urbanski's allegations come amid turmoil in the Catholic Church as it battles nationwide revelations that priests have abused children.

The bishop called the news conference after The Tampa Tribune obtained documents about the settlement and began questioning Lynch and other diocese officials this week.

Urbanski said in the complaint that Lynch made numerous unwanted advances toward him, including booking one motel room for the two on trips and touching him suggestively.

Lynch, 60, has not been accused of sexual abuse by anyone. Lynch characterized Urbanski's allegations as merely a perception, and implied the more than $100,000 was severance pay.

``I can say this with conviction, I've had struggles and turmoils but I have never broken my vow of celibacy,'' Lynch said earlier this week.

Urbanski had worked for the diocese for about 4 1/2 years when he made the complaint. He was allowed to remain on the payroll until March, when he completed five years with the diocese. He earned about $60,000 a year.

In exchange for the payment, Urbanski agreed not to file suit against the diocese.

Lynch said the diocese conducted a full investigation into the harassment claim. He said the diocese was satisfied with the results, but he would not say what they were. He said he has never had similar complaints filed against him.

Urbanski, 42, of South Tampa, said in his complaint that the time Lynch demanded from him, and the unwanted advances, put a strain on his family life.

Lynch has been bishop of the diocese since Jan. 26, 1996. The diocese covers five counties - Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus - and has about 358,000 members.