The Roman Catholic Bishop of Calgary says that if it were up to him, he would consider excommunicating Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin for his plan to legalize same-sex marriage.
Bishop Frederick Henry said that Martin's politics clash so severely with his religion that the two cannot possibly be reconciled.
"You're either with the (Roman Catholic) Church or you're not," said Bishop Henry during an interview with a Toronto radio station on Tuesday.
Bishop Henry has previously said that former Prime Minister Jean Chretien should be excommunicated for his role in bringing same-sex marriage to the forefront of Canadian politics.
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office said on Wednesday that Martin is "deeply into the separation of church and state."
"His faith is a personal matter and it is very important," said Amy Butcher. "But he also believes deeply in the Charter of Rights and, as prime minister, he will act to uphold all rights, including the rights of religious institutions to practice their beliefs."
Martin has vowed to press ahead with legislation to permit same-sex marriage nationally, with a vote in Parliament expected later this year. Courts in seven of the 10 provinces and in one territory have already ruled that denying gays the right to marry is unconstitutional.
The federal legislation would grant gays and lesbians the right to full civil marriages, but religious officials would not be required to marry same-sex couples.