LET PRIESTS MARRY OR YOU LOSE THE CHURCH irish clergy demand radical reforms from pope ahead of his historic visit
POPE Francis has been warned the Catholic Church in Ireland “is going to disappear” unless priests are allowed to marry.
A study of clerics and parishioners around the country included a number of radical reform calls including letting women become ordained.
The Association of Catholic Priests quizzed clergy and lay people about their concerns over the Church ahead of the historic visit to Ireland next weekend.
An official warned: “The Catholic Church in Ireland is going to disappear unless Rome allows priests to marry and lifts the mandatory ban on the ordination of women.
“Allow married lay people to become priests and allow priests to marry. In my grandchildren’s lives there will be no priests if rules are not changed.”
The ACP reported the top priority is to give an equal role for women in the Church and to erase “the current culture of misogyny”.
The authors also call on Catholic authorities to relax the rules on compulsory celibacy and to re-admit resigned married clerics to counteract falling numbers in the priesthood.
A total of 1,396 people took part in the survey, making 2,288 submissions – the vast majority of which outlined the need for major reform.
The survey also found overwhelming support for the pontiff to reach out to victims of sexual abuse during his visit, “by apologising on behalf of the Church both for the abuse and the way it was handled”.
The report added: “There is a desperate need for Rome to genuinely face up to and acknowledge the horror of the Catholic Church’s blindness to and mismanagement of the perpetrators of sexual abuse.”
Participants in the survey also expressed concern for the institution’s “disrespectful” attitude to the LGBT community.
They also outlined the need for the Church to make more efforts to connect with young people, many of whom find the rituals of worship outdated.
There was also criticism of Catholic authorities and bishops for lacking “leadership and vision”.
The report said: “We need leaders who will look to the gospel rather than to Rome.
“The huge gap between Church management and the people makes the Church appear lacking in credibility and relevance.
“The selection process for the appointment of bishops needs to be reviewed.”
■ DUP leader Arlene Foster has declined an invitation to an address by Pope Francis. The Government had asked her to attend a speech at Dublin Castle.
A party statement said: “Mrs Foster appreciates the invitation but regretfully will be away with her family at that time.
“She particularly acknowledges the significance of this event for many Roman Catholics in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.” Phoenix Park