The Associated Press is reporting that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport sued Connecticut officials in federal court Friday, after being told it needs to register as a lobbyist to hold rallies and use its Web site to oppose legislation.

The move is the latest chapter in tensions [1] between the Catholic Church and the state over issues including gay marriage, emergency contraception and giving parishioners more control over church finances.

The diocese is asking a U.S. District judge to stop the Office of State Ethics from what it calls an unconstitutional application of Connecticut lobbying laws.