American bishops begin to query parishioners

Catholic church to ask parishioners about gay marriage, divorce
NBC10 Philadelphia
November 5, 2013

Catholics in the Philadelphia-area will soon be asked for their feedback on so-called "irregular" families like same-sex couples, the divorced and the raising of children in such relationships as the Catholic Church seeks to better understand how to teach family values in the 21st century.

In a document obtained by NBC News, The Vatican has asked members of the Synod of Bishops, an advisory group to Pope Francis, to develop a questionnaire to find out how Catholics in their dioceses view different types of "irregular marriages" that contradict the church’s teachings. They include gay marriages, those who have divorced or separated from their partner and those who cohabitate, but have not married.

Vatican officials also requested bishops pass along the questionnaire to local priests and parishioners so that, officials say, the church can widely understand the "pastoral challenges facing the family today" and help serve those families while continuing to teach long-held beliefs.

Such a survey that seeks a voice from the parish level on these controversial topics is considered a first for the Roman Catholic Church.

"Just the fact that we are having a discussion like this is a remarkable significance," says Fr. Kevin Gallagher, Pastor of St. Denis Parish in Havertown, Pa. "I think we should celebrate the fact that the church is bringing these socially-charged questions and discussing them before the pope."

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full article at NBC10

Detroit archdiocese asks Catholics opinions about church
Patricia Montemurri
Detroit Free Press
November 5, 2013

For the first time in 15 years, the Archdiocese of Detroit is asking Detroit-area Catholics — from those who are registered parish members to those who have fallen away from the faith — to answer an anonymous survey about parish life and issues facing the church.

The Survey of the Faithful is available at www.aod.org through Sunday. It asks participants to rate parish ministries, the quality of worship services, financial transparency and characteristics they value most in a pastor, such as an "engaging preaching style" and whether he "invites people into a personal relationship with Jesus."

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The survey asks Catholics who don't attend Sunday mass regularly to rate, for example, whether it's because they find the pastor or parish "not welcoming" or find services "boring."

The archdiocese said the survey will help officials shape opportunities for involvement and improved communication, and for future planning.

The survey avoids asking participants' opinions on controversial issues such as the church's teachings against female or married priests, contraception and gay unions. It does, however, ask parishioners whether the priest shortage, parish closings and the priest sex abuse scandals should be rated as serious, moderate, minor challenges.

It also asks Catholics to rate whether the Catholic Church "has changed too much" or " has not changed enough."

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full article at Detroit Free Press