The principal of one of Brisbane’s largest independent schools, Citipointe Christian College, has formally resigned amid ongoing concerns about the school’s policies and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ students and staff.
The principal, pastor Brian Mulheran, had been on extended leave since an aborted attempt to institute student enrolment contracts that insisted students could only be enrolled on the basis of “biological sex”.
The contracts demanded families sign a “statement of faith” that described homosexual acts as “immoral” and “offensive to God”.
Guardian Australia revealed earlier this month that – at the same time as the enrolment contracts – the school had restricted its counsellors from providing any support to students on matters of sexuality or gender, instead referring students wanting such support to external advisers.
His resignation was announced in an email to teachers by Citipointe senior global pastor Mark Ramsey on Thursday – a day after Guardian Australia revealed the school had restricted its counsellors from discussing matters of sexuality or gender.
“I wish to advise you that Ps Brian Mulheran has resigned from his position as principal of Citipointe Christian College,” Ramsey wrote.
“[The International Network of Churches] continues to investigate the best outcomes in overall governance structures for the movement and the Citipointe committee of management is discussing suitable changes at the local level.
“I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for your support to students and parents during this very difficult first term for the college.”
Attempts have been made to contact Mulheran.
Previously, Guardian Australia also revealed that Mulheran had lobbied senators to allow employers “the right to discriminate” against homosexuals; that teachers at the school have been asked to sign employment contracts that warn they could be sacked for being openly gay; and that the school and it parent megachurch have promoted conservative political activism, including within the Liberal National party.
Amid furore about the contracts, Mulheran – a pastor with no formal teaching qualifications or registration – stood aside in February. Such qualifications are not required by principals in independent schools.
His decision to take extended leave also came amid a formal review of the school’s accreditation and a number of discrimination complaints about the enrolment contracts lodged with the Queensland Human Rights Commission.
Teachers have told Guardian Australia that since the furore in January and February, the school has lost several staff and has had significant trouble attracting new teachers.
The parent church organisation, the International Network of Churches / Christian Outreach Centre, and its offshoot the Citipointe megachurch, have now withdrawn their controversial “statement of faith”. The school says it is rewording its employment conditions.
At the same time, Mulheran has remained in the warm embrace of the Citipointe church. He was praised and given a standing ovation at a Sunday worship service in February after standing aside.
The school has previously said: “The college has provided and will continue to provide pastoral care and support to all students, and values all students equally.”
