The Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy has said that women still have a huge part to play in the running of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Speaking this week, he said that he did not like to use the word marginalised to describe the role of women in the church, as women are involved much more of the day-to-day running of parishes than men.
In a statement carried on the Kerry Diocesan website he said, “I think there are more women involved than men. If anything you would say lay men were more marginalised than women because if you go into any parish you will find that the majority of people who are involved are women.”
He added, “I know in my heart and soul that so many women are gifted in many areas, pastoral, educational, administrative and it is great to see that the church is striving to allow these gifts to be used.”
On the issue of women priests, he said that while intellectually it is very difficult to advance arguments for an all-male celibate clergy, much of it has to do with tradition and the fact that the church is divinely guided.
However he said, “I take the position that the magistarium of the church is divinely guided and inspired and perhaps may contain more truth than my little head can contain. However I accept the present discipline of the church.”
SIC: CIN