Members of Leaven, the association of former priests, have met the auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr Eamonn Walsh. According to Mr Aidan O'Keeffe, the Leaven spokesman, Bishop Walsh responded "very positively" to a number of suggestions put forward by the association, which represents about 300 former priests.
Mr O'Keeffe said they had asked that the Catholic Church do something to change the form of dispensation given to a priest, which he described as offensive, in relation to priests remarrying, getting teaching jobs in Catholic schools and having to do "active penance".
He said they had also asked Bishop Walsh to make sure former priests were not discriminated against when seeking lecturing jobs, or that they did not have contracts terminated when they leave the priesthood.
"Bishop Walsh was a very good listener. Our people were very happy with his whole attitude. We shared with him that our association is interested in a gradual change of attitude. He gave a commitment to listen and respect what he heard and to pass it on honestly."
The organisation held a meeting of its executive this weekend.