(RNS) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry said he supports government funding of faith-based initiatives as long as they respect the separation of church and state and do not allow discrimination in hiring.

“I invite churches and faith-based institutions to continue to play the role they have always played – as leaders, teachers and guides in our communities,” Kerry told attendees of the African Methodist Episcopal Church General Conference in Indianapolis on July 6.

His proposal calls for enabling faith-based organizations to compete on an “equal footing” with other private groups for federal funds and would create a program to provide training and technical assistance to help all groups apply for such grants.

In addition, it would establish an advisory group of religious leaders, legal experts and social service providers that would tackle constitutional questions. It also would prevent tax dollars from being spent to purchase Bibles or build churches.