Catholic Church fails to change anti-discrimination laws

The Catholic Church says it has been let down by Northern Territory Government attempts to exempt it from the Anti-discrimination Act.

The Catholic Church sought the exemption so it would be able to advertise for Catholic teachers on religious grounds.

The church says the legislation does not cover other Catholic institutions.

Father Michael Tate says the exemption poses some difficult questions for the church.

"The question would be that if there were certain procedures, for example to do with in-vitro fertilisation or such like these procedures ought always be carried out in accordance with a Catholic ethos in a Catholic institution," he said.

"It's those sorts of things one would be concerned about."

The State Government says the legislation was passed after a request from the Catholic Church.

A media release from the attorney general's office, Peter Patmore, says the State Government was not responsible for an amendment in the upper house.

The amendment from the Member for Patterson, Don Wing, was supported by all but two members.