Catholic schools in Guernsey will be permitted to appoint only Catholics as head teachers following a vote rejecting a proposed anti-discrimination measure.

Leaders in Guernsey instead voted in favour of an amendment that would maintain the status quo on the island, meaning that a Catholic school can require its head teacher to be Catholics. 

Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, whose territory includes Guernsey, said in a statement reported Friday that he was “very grateful” that local officials were cooperative in hearing the concerns of the diocese.