Three children have been barred from having bar and batmitzvah ceremonies because their devout Catholic father does not want them to be committed to Judaism.

A court ruled that the children’s Jewish mother could not arrange for them to participate until they either made their own choice to or the father changed his mind.

The father, known only as Mr Macri, sought the injuction in the Australian court so that his children can pick their religion in a ''voluntary and informed'' way when they are more mature.

But Melbourne Federal Magistrate Terry McGuire said the mother could still involve her children, aged between eight and 10-years-old, in other Jewish festivals and activities.

Mrs Macri had given her children some Jewish education and ensured that her son was circumcised.

Mr McGuire said the bar would not prevent the children choosing to be Jewish when they were older.

He added: "These children are fortunate in that they have the opportunity to directly experience the culture and traditions of the religions practised by each of their parents.''

In June a Catholic woman from Chicago was banned from driving on Saturdays when looking after her Jewish stepson.