More than two out of three people believe the Catholic Church should
no longer be involved in the running of hospitals, in light of the
various abuse scandals in recent years, according to our latest poll.The results show that 68% of those who took part in the poll believed the Church should no longer be involved in the running of these institutions.
Sixteen per cent believed the Catholic Church should continue its involvement, while 16% were unsure.
While the majority of hospitals are run by the HSE or by non-religious boards, religious orders and the Catholic hierarchy in Dublin remain involved in the governance of a number of public voluntary hospitals which are almost entirely State-funded.
The Sisters of Mercy order owns Dublin's Mater Hospital and the Sisters of Charity own St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.
Both orders were involved in the running of some of the notorious industrial schools which featured in the Ryan Commission report on institutional child abuse published in 2009.
They were also involved in the running of some of the notorious Magdalene Laundries, which were the subject of a recent inquiry report.
The majority of the members of the parent company governing the Mater are Sisters of Mercy and the remaining members represent, among others, the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin and and the Catholic Nurses Guild of Ireland.
The Sisters of Mercy order also owns Temple Street Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. The Sisters of Charity own St Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin chairs the board of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street and also chairs Crumlin Children's Hospital. Three local parish priests are also on the board of Holles Street.
View the poll result and comments, a well as the results of previous polls here