13/04/2012

Irish Catholics Want 'Married Priests'

87% of surveyed Irish Catholics would support the introduction of married priests it has been revealed.

This is according to a survey carried out by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) which gathered opinions from 1,005 Catholics on both sides of the Irish border.

When questioning how to tackle the shortage of Catholic priests in Ireland 77% of the respondents also said that they want women to be ordained. While 72% said that men who are already married should be allowed to be ordained.

Talking to the BBC Fr Brendan Hoban from the ACP said the statistics showed a disconnect between official Church teachings and what ordinary Catholics believe.

He said some of the findings of the survey were "quite startling" but backed up strong anedotal evidence that Irish Catholics were "very anxious for change".

(LB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 December 2011
Fewer Protestants Unemployed Than Catholics
A new report has highlighted the denomination of those working in NI with the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) publishing figures today relating to religion analysis of the Labour Force Survey (LFS).
16 May 2008
Executive To Pick Up Tab For Back Pay Settlement
Women workers and Catholics figure most in a group of lower paid civil servants in Northern Ireland who are set to receive over £100m in back pay. The move revealed this week by NI Finance Minister Peter Robinson, is to redress inequality.
23 November 2005
Report shows increase in those with 'no religion'
A new report has revealed a significant increase in the number of people who now see themselves as having no religion.
04 April 2005
Political and religious leaders pay tribute to Pope
Local political and religious leaders have paid tribute to Pope John Paul II who died at the weekend. The 84-year-old Pontiff died on Saturday after battling with Parkinson’s disease over the past few years.
10 October 2011
Robinson Welcomes Homecoming Troops
There have been double celebrations over the weekend as hundreds lined the streets to honour soldiers who have just returned from a difficult tour of duty in Afghanistan.