8 May 2012

Irish priests demand changes

9:21 am on 8 May 2012

A group representing about a quarter of Roman Catholic priests in Ireland has called for radical reforms in the church.

The Association of Catholic Priests meeting in Dublin, says the reforms are needed to stem the Church's decline in the wake of the long-running sexual abuse scandals.

It says public trust will be restored only by fundamental change such as an end to compulsory celibacy for priests, the open election of bishops, and the ordination of women.