GAY MARRIAGE LAW UP TO CANADA'S TOP COURT

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Canadian clergy are watching closely as the Supreme Court turns its attention at long last to the government's proposal to legalize same-sex marriage.

Some are worried they will have to perform such marriages against their beliefs if, as expected, the plan passes muster. The court was scheduled to begin hearings on the matter Wednesday.

"We are very confident that the Supreme Court will confirm what many judges have said across the country," said Laurie Arron of gay advocacy group Egale Canada.

The courts of six Canadian provinces or territories have ruled to allow same-sex marriages. British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec allowed gay marriages in 2003, the Yukon territory followed in July and Manitoba and Nova Scotia last month. The Saskatchewan court is expected to rule this month.

Canada would join Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark in allowing same-sex marriages. Several U.S. states are wrestling with gay marriage. Massachusetts' top court recently allowed same-sex weddings but the issue has run into legal disputes elsewhere. [snip] Associated Press