A married priesthood will in time lead to married bishops.

He predicted that the Catholic Church would allow a married priesthood "within a decade or two."

Dr Daly, who was a bishop for almost 20 years, said there needed to be a place in the modern Catholic church for a married priesthood.

More than 7 in 10 supported a married priesthood, up from about half who felt that way 30 years ago.

A married priesthood, while it might diminish certain problems, would bring in a host of others, like adultery, divorce or contraception.

At that synod, nearly half the bishops voted in favor of a married priesthood.

But the results of two other questions indicated that support for a married priesthood is growing.

Attempts were made to introduce a married priesthood (as in Japan).

In the lobby of the hotel where the bishops met, a former priest passed out brochures promoting a married priesthood.

Church leaders frequently discuss another alternative, a married priesthood, but view it with mixed feelings.