Australia’s Anti-Discrimination Commission office is to hear a case against the country’s Catholic Bishops for distributing a booklet supporting traditional marriage.

According to The Australian newspaper, the case against the Bishops was launched on foot of a complaint against Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart, Tasmania by transgender Martine Delaney. Delaney reported feeling humiliated by the distribution of the booklet, ‘Don’t mess with Marriage’, to parents at Catholic schools and sought recourse under the ­Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act. She has also issued a complaint against the Australian Conference of Catholic Bishops for the booklet’s distribution nationwide. Delaney has stated that she is seeking both an apology from the Catholic Church and also for the Catholic education system to become involved in LGBTI awareness education.

Delaney’s move has been criticised by Australia’s Institute of Public Affairs (IPA). The group’s director, Simon Breheny, said: “If the Catholic Church cannot distribute a booklet on Catholic teaching to Catholics, who can it distribute them to?

“This case highlights the attack on free speech represented by anti-discrimination law. It should never be a crime to offend a person.”

Despite the Bishops’ argument that they were exercising their freedom of speech and religion on a high profile matter – which may be put to the people of Australia for a vote after the next general election – the Anti-Discrimination Commission office in Tasmania agreed to hear the case on the grounds that it is of “public importance”. According to Commissioner Robin Banks, the first step will be to invite the parties for talks on conciliation before any move towards a full hearing is scheduled.

Archbishop Porteous, who has been given 21 days to respond to the invitation, has already signalled his willingness to meet with Delaney towards conciliation.