By The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Chicago's Cardinal Francis George is urging parishioners to let state lawmakers know they oppose gay marriage.

George's letter to priests in the archdiocese comes as legislators are poised to consider a bill that would legalize same sex marriage. State Sen. Heather Steans and state Rep. Greg Harris could introduce the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act to legalize same-sex marriage as early as this week.

The Chicago Tribune reports that George wrote that the state has ``no power to create something'' that violates natural law.

Previously, some clergy members sent a letter pushing for gay marriage and some of Illinois' top companies and executives have also voiced their support for the legislation after Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel asked CEO's to sign such a letter.