Irish join global Catholics urging Church reform

Irish Catholics seeking reform of their church are among 100 groups around the world who have jointly written to Pope Francis asking him to make major changes to the way the faith is governed.

Their letter — which includes a request to allow women and married priests — was delivered to Francis and eight cardinals he selected to advise him on possible reforms ahead of their three-day think-in which begins in Rome today.

Among the signatories to the letter are the Association of Catholic Priests and two lay organisations — the Association of Catholics in Ireland and We Are Church Ireland.