Roman Catholic bishops in New Jersey are encouraging their congregations to pray against same-sex marriage.

There could be a legislative vote in the state to legalize gay marriage before mid January, as Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine prepares to leave office.  He will be replaced by Republican Chris Christie, who is against gay marriage.

Now, priests are putting the issue front-and-center.

"If they pass the bill with gay marriage, the family will be destroyed," one priest said.

"Very often, people will mark this off as political, but we see this as more of a moral implication," said Paul Bochicchio of Holy Family Church in New Jersey.

The Catholic bishops have sent letters reminding members that the Bible says marriage is only between a man and a woman.