Speaking in Rome today, Dr Mary McAleese  condemned the Roman Catholic Church as a “primary global carrier of the toxic virus of misogyny” and as “a male bastion of patronising platitudes to which Pope Francis has added his own quota”. The conference to mark International Women’s Day at which she spoke had formerly been held in the Vatican, but was moved outside of the papal jurisdiction after objections from right-wing cardinal Kevin O’Farrell that the speakers included gay rights campaigners.

Dr McAleese is one of the most intellectually able politicians …