Greens Leader Bob Brown says that Archbishop Pell's proposal to demand that school principals give an oath to narrow doctrinal principles threatens to rekindle the debate on state aid.
"He is moving to stifle rather than encourage debate in the Catholic school system. Fortunately, other bishops are not coming out in support of George Pell. That is because his move is so inflammatory," Senator Brown said.
"Demanding that principals take a hard line on issues like women in the clergy, divorce and homosexuality is a leap back to the 1950s. The danger is that Archbishop Pell's demands could trigger a new national debate on whether taxpayers' money should fund his brand of restricted education," Senator Brown said.
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