RELIGIOUS groups such as the Catholic Church could be forced to employ openly gay and pro-abortion workers under a review of Victoria's equal opportunity laws. The Brumby Government is considering dropping exemptions allowing religious groups to discriminate against people whose views and practices they find unacceptable.
The Catholic Church is concerned such a move could jeopardise its education, health, welfare and aged care services.
Melbourne archdiocese business manager Francis Moore said yesterday the church should not have to employ people who, for instance, were for abortion or euthanasia, or who had sexual relations outside of traditional marriage.
"If the church was put into a position where it was required to employ people who had beliefs or practices which were inconsistent with the church's view, then it would make it very difficult to continue to provide those services," he said.
"For that reason, we want those exceptions maintained."
The Catholic Church is among dozens of organisations and individuals who have made submissions to two reviews of equal opportunity laws ordered by Attorney-General Rob Hulls.
Some gay rights groups have called for the exemptions to be dumped, citing special concern about the employment of gay and lesbian teachers in religious schools.
"This exception is not appropriate, particularly given the fact that religious schools are involved in delivering a public service (education) using public funds," said the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Health and Wellbeing.
The reviews may also lead to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission getting more power to investigate and act against discrimination.
It's proposed the discrimination watchdog gets the right to launch cases in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Recommendations from the reviews are due to go to Mr Hulls this month.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce