Synod Questionnaire

PLEASE LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES

'Synodality' is about 'walking together'

How is our ‘walking together’ in synodality realised today in the Church? What steps does the Holy Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our ‘walking together’?

To help people explore this fundamental question more fully, the following themes highlight significant aspects of ‘lived synodality’:

1. Companions on the Journey

The Acts of the Apostles tells us how the first disciples worked together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to build the early Church. Pope Francis invites every baptised person to work—or ‘walk’—together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to build today’s Church.

How are we already working/walking together?
How can we do this better?
Who is getting left behind and why?

1a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

1b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

1c Please tell us about your experience

2. Listening

The first step in walking together is to really listen to one another, without prejudice or personal agenda. When we can listen like this, we may hear God’s voice speaking to us through other people.

How well do we listen, especially to people who have different views than our own?
How can we better listen to young people, women and minority groups?

2a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

2b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

2c Please tell us about your experience

3. Speaking Out

We are invited to speak out boldly and responsibly.

What helps us to do this?
What prevents us from doing this?
How does the relationship with local media work (not only Catholic media)
How well do we choose the people who speak on our behalf to the wider community?

3a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

3b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

3c Please tell us about your experience

4. Celebration

The celebration of the Eucharist—i.e. Mass—is at the centre of our Catholic communities, and forms the basis for our ‘walking together’.

How well do communal prayer and liturgical celebrations inspire and guide our sense of community?
How well do we allow and enable every member of the faithful to participate?

4a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

4b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

4c Please tell us about your experience

5. Sharing Responsibility for Our Common Mission

Every baptised person is called to use their natural and supernatural gifts and talents to participate in the life and missionary service of the Church.

Do we understand what this means?
What stops us from giving our gifts and talents to the Church?
How does the Church community support its members who serve society in various ways (social and political involvement, scientific research, education, promoting social justice, protecting human rights, caring for the environment etc.)?

5a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

5b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

5c Please tell us about your experience

6. Dialogue in Church and Society

Dialogue requires perseverance and patience, but it also enables mutual understanding.

To what extent do diverse peoples in our community come together for dialogue?
How can we improve dialogue between our own communities, i.e. between parishes/deaneries, and with lay ministries?
What particular issues (in the Church or in society) do we need to pay more attention to?
How well do we dialogue with and learn from other areas of society, such as politics, culture, diverse groups; how can we improve?

6a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

6b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

6c Please tell us about your experience

7. Ecumenism

The dialogue between different Christian groups has a special place in the synodal journey.

What relationships do we have with members of other Christian traditions or denominations?
What are the benefits and difficulties?
How can we take the next step in walking forward with each other?

7a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

7b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

7c Please tell us about your experience

8. Authority and Participation

A synodal Church is a Church where everyone participates and everyone shares responsibility.

How well do we identify our goals and how to reach them?
What good examples do we have of governance, teamwork and shared responsibility?
How do we promote lay ministries and the responsibility of lay people?
What fruitful experiences can we share of lay leadership?
How can we develop fruitful participation and leadership?

8a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

8b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

8c Please tell us about your experience

9. Discerning and Deciding

A synodal Church makes decisions through discernment of what the Holy Spirit is saying through our whole community.

How well do we promote participation in decision making and how well do we make decisions together?
How can we improve our methods so that everyone’s voices can be included?
How can we grow in communal spiritual discernment?

9a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

9b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

9c Please tell us about your experience

10. Forming Ourselves in Synodality

Synodality, that is journeying together, involves ongoing learning, and being open to change.

What do we need to help us to be more capable of ‘walking together’, listening to one another, participating in mission, and engaging in dialogue?
What training do lay leaders need to ensure they exercise their authority in a synodal way—i.e. that every member of the community is welcomed, respected and listened to?

10a How important is this topic to you? (from 1=not important to 5=very important)

10b How well do we do this? (from 1=poorly to 5=very successfully)

10c Please tell us about your experience

Please leave your email address or telephone number if you would like us to contact you regarding any questions or if you would like to know more about our Synod Consultation Process. You can also email the Synod Team: synod23@rcdop.org.uk

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The following questions are optional, but your answers will help us to better understand all the views expressed.

Do you live in the Diocese of Paisley?

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How often do you attend Mass?

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What age are you?

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