Most Irish priests would like the Catholic church to end its celibacy rule while also allowing the ordination of women, a survey has revealed.
More than 300 diocesan priests were questioned and over two-thirds were favourable to abolishing the celibacy rule allowing them to have families, while many said they suffer profound loneliness and feel depressed because of their isolation.
However, the clergy was split on the issue of allowing openly gay men to be ordained as priests, with just over 46% of those polled opposing the measure.
Most who favoured an end to celibacy said that allowing priests to marry would encourage more people to join the clergy.
More than half of those who took part in the survey said they favoured the introduction of female priests while many said they would not object to the ordination of openly homosexual clergy.
The priests were asked three questions:
• Do you think priests should be allowed to marry?
• Should homosexuals be allowed to become priests?
• Should women be allowed to become priests?
Of the 325 priests who responded to the survey, 69% favoured the abolition of mandatory celibacy while 25% were opposed. The remainder were undecided. Almost 60% said they were in favour of a female clergy while a third were opposed to any change.
On the question of allowing homosexual men to be ordained, priests were split down the middle on the issue. Just over 46% polled by a Sunday newspaper said they were opposed while almost 45% were in favour.
David Rice, a former priest who has studied the emotional effects of celibacy, said that many priests suffered "unbelievable loneliness" due to celibacy that affected their ability to do their work.
"I know of between 80 and 90 priests who are or who have been in relationships," he said. "Many suffer stomach problems or lose weight and their work becomes affected. The priest is living a lie and the woman's need for recognition is immense."
Martin Long, spokesman of the Irish Bishops Conference, told the paper: "When a person has a vocation he or she is given the ability to live the celibate life and it is not a burden."