CATHOLIC students have staged a colourful protest against comments made by the Archbishop of Hobart Julian Porteous on the topic of same-sex marriage.

Guildford Young College students chalked a rainbow on a pedestrian crossing outside the school yesterday after an address by the Archbishop to their graduation ceremony.

Students also used chalk to draw love hearts and write “LOVE WINS”, in support of same-sex marriage.

One student described the rainbow, hearts and slogan as “a peaceful protest in ­response to a negative situation”.

The Mercury was told the students involved were called to the principal’s office, but an Archdiocese spokesman said the school did not take any disciplinary action against those involved.

At the college’s graduation ceremony at the Derwent Enter­tainment Centre on Wednesday evening, Archbishop Porteous addressed the students, quoting comments of Pope Francis where the latter spoke about the “human ecology” and said “that marriage between a man and a woman is deeply embedded in the wisdom of creation and human ecology”.

“My dear graduands, as you go forth from Guilford Young College, be the generation that works to preserve the integrity of the natural environment and be the generation who strives to preserve the human ecology,” Archbishop Porteous said.

One student said a number of people walked out during the archbishop’s address.

The Archbishop has previously been the centre of controversy when the Catholic Church sent an 18-page pastoral letter entitled Don’t Mess with Marriage to 12,000 families whose children ­attend Catholic schools in Tasmania.

The booklet and letter ­attracted complaints, including one to the state’s Anti-­Discrimination Commissioner.