A bishop has given his support for a specially devised delegation process for the ordination of women priests.

Legislation to make same-sex marriage a reality here is expected to be enacted by the end of July.

The Church has little choice but to ordain married men and welcome former priests back into the clergy if it is to exist in Ireland in 20 years time, a founding member of the Association of Catholic Priests claims.

The Association of Catholic Priests has said it does not expect members of the Irish hierarchy to comment on the silencing by the Vatican of one of the group’s founders, Fr Tony Flannery.

FATHER Brendan Hoban, parish priest, theologian, writer and one of the founders of the Association of Catholic Priests, is prepared to go to jail rather than break the traditional seal of confession.