- July 17, 2003
=
July 17 ,2003 =*
Same-sex marriage in Canada : The federal government releases its draft bill to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples while protecting the rights of clergy not to perform marriages that run counter to their religious beliefs. The government will seek a reference from theSupreme Court of Canada to ensure the bill is constitutional. [http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/07/17/marriage_030717]
*India declines aUnited States request to send an occupation force toIraq .United States Envoy assures that Indo-US relations will not be hampered by the refusal.
* In a press conference inBelfast ,journalist Seán Ó Muireagáin deniesIsrael i claims that suspected Real IRA activist. He states that he is not, and never has been, a member or supporter of the IRA. Israel repeats that the arrest of Ó Muireagáin was "unfortunate" but refuses to apologise. Israel's treatment of Ó Muireagáin is strongly criticised inIreland . SDLP ex-ministerSean Farren states that Ó Muireagáin is "well known and respected" inNorthern Ireland .
*Evangelist and former United States Presidential candidatePat Robertson announces his "massive prayer offensive" dubbed "Operation Supreme Court Freedom", asking Americans to pray that at least threeUnited States Supreme Court justices retire so that the court can be filled with conservative justices who will overturn Supreme Court rulings onschool prayer ,separation of church and state andsodomy .
*TheUniting Church in Australia votes to officially recognise and approve ofhomosexual clergy . ( [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s904337.htm ABC (Australia) news report] )
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.