The selection of Robinson for the opening party on Sunday came after weeks of criticism over Obama's choice of conservative pastor Rick Warren to deliver the religious invocation on Tuesday, January 20, the day Obama is sworn in to office.

Robinson, who is the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, will pray at the star-studded event to be broadcast on national television from the Lincoln Memorial on January 18, the inaugural committee said in a statement.

"Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail," said executive producer George Stevens, Jr.

"We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today."

Robinson, who announced his inclusion in the event in an email to friends that was printed in part by US media, said he believed his role was an important one.

"It's important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way," Robinson said in an interview with the Concord Monitor, a newspaper in the state of New Hampshire where he worships.

"Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority or, in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters."

The event is to include musical performances by artists including Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.

Readings were to be done by Martin Luther King III, a relative of the slain civil rights leader; as well as actors Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.

Obama last month defended his choice of Warren, a popular preacher who attracts some 20,000 people to weekly sermons at his giant Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California and is known for his strong views against gay marriage and abortion.

"It is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans," Obama said at a press conference in Chicago.

"It's important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues," he argued.

"There will be a wide range of viewpoints that are presented. And that's how it should be, because that's what America's about ... we are diverse and noisy and opinionated."

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