Priest puts case for female cardinals

Women who have made a proven contribution to society, such as former president Mary McAleese or advocate for the homeless Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, should be considered as future cardinals, according to a leading Catholic priest.

In his new book, Fr Brendan Hoban, one of the founding fathers of the Association of Catholic Priests, says that the Church hierarchy has to start addressing the consequences of the lack of vocations in the Church.

“In 20 years’ time there will only be a handful of priests, elderly and enfeebled, being driven around a vast area struggling to bury the dead. In 30 years’ time, for all practical purposes, there may be no priests at all,” he said.