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ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN Diarmuid Martin has said misogyny is present in the Catholic Church.
In an interview with Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ Radio One, the Archbishop said he would like to see a stronger female presence in the Church.
“I believe that is achievable… But it depends on the ability of the male priesthood to reach out,” he said.
However, he added that he did not believe he would see female priests working within the Church in his lifetime.
When asked about the former Irish President Mary McAleese’s recent controversial comments in which she described the Catholic Church as an “empire of misogyny” he said:
Misogynism is present, it is obviously present in the church. There is a danger in an all male presbyterate that misogynism can enter. You can have a men’s club and I think all of us have to examine our consciences to see where we are on this. How do we change it is the question. Mysonyism is a sign of human immaturity and that is a worry.
He added:
If there are priests that are misogynists, it means they are not mature in themselves and they’ve either never had healthy relations with women or they don’t understand that.
Martin said society needs to examine how to change this now.
“Misogyny is really about men feeling they are in charge, men feeling they have particular rights… where does it begin in their lives, does it begin in family?” he asked.
He said we all have to be careful of our use of language. He said certain things that might have been looked at in the past as funny are not and never were.
Abuse
Referring to the abuse allegations against Father Malachy Finnegan, Archbishop Martin questioned how scandals like this are only coming out now.
How all these stories are only coming out now. I don’t know that people covered up, or didn’t talk, or were afraid to talk or didn’t want to talk, but as I say let the truth come out. If a church investigation, if people don’t have confidence in that, get external people to verify.
He said the Murphy Report (Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin) has been a huge benefit as it exposed things that happened and they had to take steps to make sure it won’t happen again.
Martin added that he gave over 74,000 documents to the commission. “I believed it was the right thing, I wasn’t always encouraged to do it,” he said, adding that some thought it best not to air the Church’s “dirty laundry” in public.
The archbishop said he disagreed and said “it is the only way” to bring about change.
Tuam babies
During the interview, Archbishop Martin became upset as he recounted telling the Pope about the Tuam babies story.
He said the Pope asked him how he was during their meeting.
“There is a terrible story emerging about children’s bodies being found,” Martin said he told Pope Francis.
Martin said the issue caused the Pope to become “visibly upset”.
Speaking about the Pope’s visit to Ireland in August, he said he would like the Pope’s visit to be inclusive, but stressed that it was a short visit.
“I’m worried that some of the protocol issues will take more time than meet with the poor”, he said.
Asked who he would like the Pope to meet on his visit, the Archbishop mentioned struggling families, refugees, prisoners, the poor as well as victims of clerical abuse. He would also like the pontiff to learn something of Traveller.
Archbishop Martin described Pope Francis as “a complex figure, not all smiles. He’s determined, he knows when people are not being true to him, not being loyal to him. He’s nobody’s fool. When he wants to do something, he’ll do it.”
“He’s a free man. He’s in nobody’s pocket,” he added.
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The only progressive in the present day Catholic Church… but a lone voice..
Too late, the flock have fled.
@Dingleberrycity: Not so there will always be people who hold a strong feeling towards their god and that’s ok it’s none of anybody’s business ,it’s lasted 20000 yrs and it’s not going away anytime soon
@FlopFlipU: might want to fact check that comment for yourself
@FlopFlipU: One zero to many or are you eighteen thousand years out with your calculations?
@FlopFlipU: As a Christian you would hardly believe the earth is that old?
@Dingleberrycity: That would be an ecumenical matter for the pastoral of ecclesiastical flock by the holy see.
@FlopFlipU:
Strong feelings towards their god and the Catholic Church are two completely different things.
@James Joseph Superior Power: possibly
@James Joseph Superior Power: Not true
Too little too late. I can seriously see religion becoming all but non-existent in the West within the next 100 years. Diarmuid Martin seems like a genuine and honest person but the church has far to many fundamentalist dinosaurs at the helm to make any serious or meaningful change. Albeit, change that well in anyway effect the growing tide of people ditching religion.
@Daniel Donovan: he is the most dishonest man I have ever had the pleasure to speak to
@Harry Foley: Well that’s just my perception of him Harry.
@Daniel Donovan: I can’t see religion disappearing in the west in the next 100 years? What about the growth of Islam in Europe. There were 44 million in 2010, before the migrant crisis. Also Muslims have much more children than Europeans so their numbers will steadily rise in the next century. Religion won’t disappear, it will just change from one faith to another.
@Tom Allen: By the West I was referring to Christianity but I agree with you on Islam. It’s a religion that will just grow exponentially in the next few decades. Quite startling numbers to me as a secularist as we all know the hostilities that Muslims have towards women’s rights, gay rights, criticism and freedom of speech, amongst others.
@Harry Foley: can I ask why you say that? I have always found him to be quite duplicitous, but that is par for the course.
@Daniel Donovan: Islam will replace existing religion in Europe.
@Socky Varadkar: it will be chaos in Europe if that happens
Just like it is in business .. politics.. The Army.. The Navy.. The Judiciary and Netball
@cormac o neill: How is it present in business?
@cormac o neill: except its not the same at all.
At least a woman can work in various companies and can become a CEO.
The pope himself says women have no place being priests. As such the church sees women as less then men.
@Barry Somers: Netball is the only sport that men can’t play
@cormac o neill: Why cant men play netball.
@Barry Somers:
And Barry, are there any other reasons that the church may have for not allowing women priests do you think?
@Nick Allen: What reasons? Apart from pseudo-theology?
@cormac o neill: you could say the same about men in nursing, being a househusband etc
@cormac o neill: except men’s netball is explicitly a thing, as is mixed gender netball
For someone who goes on about Islam a lot it’s good to know that your concern doesn’t stretch to women and children suffering under your own personal faith
@cormac o neill: are you ever correct? Men play netball in Australia, Canada, England, Jamaica, Kenya, Pakistan, Fiji, NZ and others.
@cormac o neill: Mysonginy and misandry are rife everywhere, the latter, however, is ok as it’s perpetuated against men and, therefore deemed both as insignificant and acceptable.
Took them decades to admit that they were interfering with kids. A few weeks to admit to misogyny is progress I guess.
The Grand Poobah of some ecclesiastical fiefdom in Ireland talks about Misogyny, hey science trumps skyfairyism always, wake up and think for yourself, you officially anti gay guy who parades in a glorified dress.
Apparently the only solution is bringing more women into the church yet women can never have any power within the church apart from being a nun and to act like he knew nothing of abuse was stupid he’s either really ignorant and shouldn’t be archbishop or a flat out liar. The RCC isn’t even sorry for its crimes and if given the opportunity would cover it up again
“If there are priests that are misogynists, it means they are not mature in themselves and they’ve either never had healthy relations with women or they don’t understand that.”
So Diarmuid Martin will be voting yes to Repel the 8th. That’ll be a start towards ending misogyny in the church all right.
@Oscar Scatters: In fairness abortion is against Christian doctrine so you can’t expect them to want it repealed but when it comes to the vast majority of catholic dogma it’s just playing to motives of corrupt popes who want either money or power
@Anonymous: I didn’t really think they would in fairness. I was just pointing out in a flippant manner that Martin is full of crap. He’ll talk and talk and talk, he’s a great man for the talking but very much else.
@Anonymous: IVF is against their dogma too but the RCC and the Keep the 8th groups aren’t shouting from the rooftops about the leftover embryos that are a byproduct of producing a baby. These embryos are ultimately destroyed if not used.
@Oscar Scatters: boring
No Wayyyy…
@Tim The Bear: Way
And water is wer. Did he think it wasn’t obvious to everyone ? The problem for the church is it matters less and less . People have gone and they aren’t coming back.
Many would have seen Hollywood as the epitome of a progressive liberal society exploring the myriad themes of interhuman relationships in all their forms.
I think we can all agree now this was just a facade to get people to eat popcorn.
Im going to vomit!
@John Dman:
How many Easter eggs have you had?
Diarmuid Martin you are nothing but a hypocrite
@Harry Foley: take a nap
Does anybody still believe in this crap? Wait till August till they all flock to the park to get a telling off from the king of the paedophile’s
Gold diggers are always going to be scared *hitless of other gold diggers. It couldn’t be any other way.
“Diarmuid Martin has said misogyny is present in the Catholic Church.” No shit€ Bishop who would have thought that.
Oh go away… To hell with the Church! No cares anymore…
@Tony Mc Donald: speak for yourself
@The Hoodedman: No I speak for most actually! Thanks…
The whole church is built on misogyny so it should be no surprise to them.
Let him or her who is without sin cast the first stone
@Hugo Magee: how about the thousands of innocent little children abused by the church. I’m pretty sure they were without sin and have the right to name their abusers.
I’d love to hear Archbishop Martin speak on the state of morals in his community. It is a hugely important issue given the extraordinary views on the acceptability of expecting sex on a first date, the prevalence of pornography and related matters.
Can this F**k explain how a priest can buy a 1.2 million house n kick off a homeless Man off his wall… where the poor man was feeling unwell…. your are biggest s**m bags out there….
@Tony Mc Donald: That comment and the one you made before it makes you look like more of a s**m bag than most. In fact I would say you most definitely are.
@Nick Drake: P***O**!
A truly wonderful man and Archbishop. Wouldn’t he make a wonderful President when Michael D steps down.
@Donal Hanley: Donal you should not have taken that last pint
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