Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Vast majority of people agree that Catholic Church is 'empire of misogyny'

Over 1,000 adults were polled about Mary McAleese’s comments.

1 Mary_90539474 Former President Mary McAleese RTÉ News / Twitter RTÉ News / Twitter / Twitter

ALMOST EIGHT IN 10 people agree with Mary McAleese’s comments that the Catholic Church is an “empire of misogyny”, according to a new opinion poll.

A poll of over 1,000 adults carried out by Amarách Research for Claire Byrne Live earlier today found that 78% of people agree with her remarks.

The former Irish president, a devout Catholic, made the comments in Rome last week. She also said the bar on women becoming priests should be lifted and called on Pope Francis to address gender inequality in the Church.

“Failure to include women as equals has deprived the Church of fresh and innovative discernment; it has consigned it to recycled thinking among a hermetically sealed cosy male clerical elite flattered and rarely challenged by those tapped for jobs in secret and closed processes.

“It has kept Christ out and bigotry in,” she said in a speech at a conference about women’s roles in the Church.

Earlier today, McAleese told Today with Seán O’Rourke her younger brother was “seriously, physically, sadistically abused” by the late Fr Malachy Finnegan.

In separate polls carried out for Claire Byrne Live, 92% of people said hospital car park charges should be scrapped for cancer patients and their families, while 5% disagreed and 3% said they didn’t know.

Another poll asked people if Ireland should keep its military neutrality. Eight in 10 people (80%) said we should, 9% thought we should give it up and 11% were unsure.

Read: Mary McAleese says her brother was ‘seriously, physically, sadistically abused by Malachy Finnegan’

Read: Mary McAleese says it’s ‘pure codology’ that women can’t become priests

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Órla Ryan
View 167 comments
Close
167 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds