Religion

Susan O’Keefe: Mary McAleese was right to mock Pope Francis

Pope Francis has signalled he does not intend for the Catholic Church to allow women to become priests

Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese. Picture: Rollingnews.ie

When was the last time that a former President of Ireland told off a Pope? A real, live, in-office Pope – like Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, with its more than 1.3 billion members. If it’s ever happened, it’s been a secret. But not this time.

Instead, Mary McAleese has made public her email to the Vatican. The email takes a swipe at recent remarks made by the Pope about the role ...