On the issue of sexuality, three-quarters reported that they do not view the Catholic Church’s teachings on sexuality as relevant to them or their families. Sixty per cent disagreed with the statement ‘that any sexual expression of love between gay couples is immoral’, while just nine per cent strongly agreed with the Church’s teachings on homosexuality.
The research further found that nine out of ten were in favour of allowing priests to marry. Fifty-five per cent want bishops to serve a fixed term as opposed to serving until they are 75 years of ages, as is the current practice. Up to 77 per cent of the study group also want women to be ordained.
Most interestingly, perhaps, is that a significant proportion of churchgoers and nearly one-quarter of its clergy are experiencing a shift in collective values which may very well lead to the ultimate change; a break with Rome in favour of an independent Irish Catholic Church
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