Most priests want Vatican to lift celibacy ban
Almost three-quarters of them believe the role of women within the Church is not fully recognised.
The survey of 1,307 diocesan priests, most aged over 55, was carried out by Wilton Research and Marketing on behalf of The Irish Catholic newspaper.
Published yesterday, the survey found 89% of priests want greater change within the Church, with two-thirds saying it has not moved enough in keeping with the times.
While 57% of priests said the compulsory celibacy rule should go, the survey also found that 60% felt its abolition would not lead to an increase in vocations.
The survey did not ask if the respondents favoured women priests within the Catholic Church, however it did ask about the role of women in general. Seventy-four percent said women were not given sufficient recognition.
Over 70% of priests who responded said that they were troubled by media coverage of clerical scandals.
Seventy eight percent said they would welcome the appointment of permanent deacons in Ireland. Permanent deacons can be single or married and have similar functions to priests, except that they cannot celebrate the Eucharist or hear confessions.
Eighty seven percent of all priests said that they would approve of deacons being married. With a lack of vocations fuelling concern for the future celebration of Masses, half of all respondents said that a reduction in the number of Sunday Masses would be an appropriate solution; 32% said that the amalgamation of parishes would be acceptable and 13% said that priests could serve more than one parish.
The vast majority (79%) of responding priests reported hearing fewer than 20 confessions a week.
As regards attendance at daily Mass (excluding Sundays), 42% of responding priests reported that the daily Mass in their parish is attended by more than 50 people.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) said that priests should not have management responsibilities in schools, while 65% said they would favour the establishment of Sunday Schools for sacramental preparation. Bill Horgan, chairman of The Irish Catholic said: “We invited priests throughout Ireland to let their voices be heard. It is clear that they are open to change particularly with regard to issues such as celibacy, the appointment of deacons and in their willingness to encourage greater levels of change in the way that the church operates in Ireland. All in all, we found that priests are alive to the various critical issues facing the Church and society.”
He said they had not asked specifically about women priests as they did not consider such a question relevant in terms of the Church’s ‘near future’. Mr Horgan added that the survey had been sent to all the Irish Catholic bishops.
57% - say change compulsory celibacy rule; 40% seek no change.
50% - say reduce number of Sunday Masses because of falling vocations.
42% - say more than 50 people attend daily Mass (excluding Sundays).
79% - report hearing less than 20 confessions a week.
72% - say priests should not have management responsibilities in schools.
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