As it did at the end of 2013, the Diocese of San Bernardino is encouraging priests, religious, deacons, ministry leaders and lay Catholics to take a survey on family issues provided by the Synod through the online program Survey Monkey. The diocese has also created an abridged 15-question version of the survey that frames the issues more in layman’s terms. The surveys and related background documents are all available at a link on the homepage of the diocesan web site at www.sbdiocese.org
“We have an opportunity to share our voice so that the media’s depiction of what is discussed at the Synod is not the only voice that is heard,” said Father Rafael Partida, Episcopal Vicar for the Riverside Pastoral Region and the coordinator of the Synod Survey response.
The survey responses will be compiled and presented to Bishop Gerald Barnes for review and reflection as he drafts the final report that is due to the Vatican in May. The diocese will be accepting survey responses until February 20.
The survey questions deal with such subjects as how the Church encourages the value of family in the face of a more secular and individualistic society; how to lead those who have only married civilly or couples living together outside of marriage to a Sacramental marriage; and how to provide pastoral care to persons who are homosexual.
Dialogue about some of these issues among the Synod Fathers at last year’s Extraordinary Synod on the Family drew international attention and led some to suggest that the Church’s position on a few family issues might be changing. The final report issued by the Extraordinary Synod did not point to definitive change, suggesting that more dialogue on these subjects will be needed at the Ordinary Synod.
The previous survey for the Extraordinary Synod garnered more than 400 responses. This time, in addition to offering the survey online, focus groups have been held by some diocesan ministries that deal directly with marriage and family to garner group responses to the questions. These efforts, along with the creation of a simplified version of the survey and extra time for people to respond has diocesan leaders hopeful that they can significantly increase participation.
“We are privileged to be asked by our Bishop to share our thoughts, hopes and dreams on the questions contained in this survey,” said Sister Sara Kane, CSJ, Chancellor of the Diocese. “We have the opportunity to affirm the gift of family life and to discuss the challenges faced by families today. Our input will help Bishop Barnes feel the pulse of our parishioners, lay ministers, religious and clergy.”