Catholic schools gay union warning

EDUCATION minister Vincent Peillon has received the backing of President Hollande after writing a controversial letter warning Catholic schools not to discuss plans to legalise gay marriage in classrooms.

The general secretary of France's 8,300 Catholic schools, Eric de Labarre, had urged teachers before Christmas to discuss the issue of same-sex marriage and adoption with pupils.

Peillon reacted in a letter, warning: "It does not seem appropriate to bring the debate over equal marriage rights into schools... The institution, which is under contract with the state, must respect the principle that everyone has the right to a neutral and free thought."

He was criticised by the head of the Christian Democrat party, Christine Boutin, who said the minister was over-reaching his authority. She told Le Figaro: "To organise a debate is not a violation of free thought."

However, President Hollande came to Peillon's defence, telling reporters this weekend: "The state, as well as both private and public educational institutions, [must] adhere to a principle called neutrality.”

A recent Ifop poll found 69% of French people are in favour of a referendum on same-sex marriage and adoption.