Former Derry bishop calls for married priests

Retired bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, calls for married priests.

Interviewed on RTE Radio One this morning he spoke about priests who left ministry during his term as bishop. He said many good men left to marry women with whom they had fallen in love.

He said he had lived a happy and full life but if he were 24 today he was not sure what he would do.

Bishop Daly says: "Something needs to be done and done urgently and I hope that senior members of the clergy and laity make their views more forcefully known, views that are often expressed privately but seldom publicly". Italics are those of the blogger.

And it's not just the words said in private. So often the words that are never said.

For a retired Irish bishop to express such an opinion is certainly an important moment in the life of the Irish church.

It will be interesting to see in the days and months ahead will any Irish bishop make a comment.