Diocese of Steubeville Survey

A New Survey for the Diocese of Steubenville
Please note: this is not the official survey from the diocese. You can find that survey here.

This survey is meant to more effectively gather information about the potential merger of the Diocese of Steubenville into the Diocese of Columbus. Please be thoughtful and charitable in your responses. We intend to share this data at a later date, and ensure that this information is presented to the bishops that hold sway in Ohio and at the USCCB.

This survey should take about 15 minutes.
Which county in the Diocese of Steubenville do you live in?*

Athens CountyBelmont CountyCarroll CountyGallia CountyGuernsey CountyHarrison CountyJefferson CountyLawrence CountyMeigs CountyMorgan CountyMonroe CountyNoble CountyWashington CountyI do not live in the Diocese of Steubenville
How often do you attend Mass?

DailyWeeklyAt least once a monthLess than once a month
What is your age?

Under 2020-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970 or older
Have you changed your tithing since the 2017 financial scandal?

No.Yes, I try to give to other charities.Yes, I give directly to my parish whenever possible.Yes, I give less.Other
What could the diocese do to encourage you to give more? (Check all that apply)

I'm already giving all I canArticulate specific needsBe more transparent about the diocesan financial situationJust ask, I didn't know it was a problem.Preach about tithing more oftenOther
Do you think your parish is underfunded?

We could certainly use more money, but it's not dire.Money is no object for us.We've had trouble making ends meetWe're in desperate need of more fundingOur parish funds seem sufficientI don't know what our funding situation is like
Has your priest ever suggested that your parish is in financial trouble?

Yes. All the timeHe's brought it up beforeHe might have mentioned it.Not that I recall.Certainly notI don't think our parish is in financial trouble
Has your priest or bishop ever suggested that the diocese was in financial trouble?

I knew about the scandal, but I thought we got through that.After the scandal, it felt like we never really recoveredI'm aware of multiple public announcements that the diocese was in trouble.I was unaware the diocese needed more funding.I figured the diocese wasn't flush, but it never seemed insurmountableI've always assumed the diocese was losing moneyI don't think the diocese is in financial trouble
Would better communication in this regard have affected your tithing?

I already give all I can to the dioceseI may have adjusted where I give if I'd knownI definitely would've shifted some of my donations to the diocese if they need it.No, better communication wouldn't affect my tithing
Do you think a merger would improve the financial health of our parishes?

YesNoI don't know
Why or why not?
Based on your experience, how would you rate your priest compared to most clergy you've encountered?

Way betterBetter than mostAbout averageWorse than mostNot a good priest
Do you think your priest(s) sufficiently fulfill the needs of your parish?

More than sufficientYesBarelyNo
Have you ever felt your access to the Sacraments was limited due to the number of priests in the diocese?

NoYes
Please explain:
Do you think a merger would improve the priesthood and vocations in our diocese?

YesNoI don't know
Why or why not?
Have you ever visited another diocese and noted a healthier community?

YesNo
Have you ever visited another diocese and noted a less healthy community?

YesNo
Please elaborate. (Which diocese? What were they doing better/worse?)
Have you ever considered moving because of parish life or the faith community?

Yes, I moved here because of the faith community.Yes, I've thought about leaving Steubenville for a different faith community.No, but I might consider moving if the merger happens.No, I've never factored that in.
Did a Catholic ministry, school, institution, or community cause your initial move to the Steubenville diocese?

YesNo
Do you think a merger would improve the health of our diocese's Catholic community?

YesNoI don't know
Why or why not?
Have you ever been invited or encouraged to evangelize others?

Yes, our priest preaches about it constantlyYes, my priest has encouraged itYes, informallyNot that I can recall
Are you aware of evangelization efforts by your parish priest? (Check all that apply)

Yes, I am aware of personal evangelization efforts by my parish priestYes, my priest leads groups from our parish in evangelization efforts in our cityYes, my priest certainly encourages evangelizationNo, I am unaware of any evangelization efforts by my priest
Are you aware of evangelization efforts by other priests in the diocese? (Check all that apply)

Yes, I am aware of personal evangelization efforts by other priestsYes, other priests lead groups from their parish in evangelization efforts in our cityYes, other priests certainly encourage evangelizationNo, I am unaware of any evangelization efforts by priests in the diocese
Are you aware of evangelization efforts being implemented by the diocese? (Check all that apply)

Yes, I am aware of personal evangelization efforts by the bishopYes, the bishop has asked priests to lead groups from their parish in evangelization efforts in our cityYes, the bishop and chancery employees certainly encourage evangelizationNo, I am unaware of any evangelization efforts by the bishop/diocese
Do you think a merger is the best way to improve the evangelization efforts in our diocese?

YesNoI don't know
Why or why not?
How often do you encounter other Catholics living their faith?

Only at Sunday MassOccasionally outside of MassNearly every dayEvery dayAlmost constantly
Are you aware of any Catholic businesses, ministries, or initiatives that have started or grown in the last 5 years?

Yes, multipleYes, one or twoNo
If yes, do you know what part the bishop has played in that growth?

He seems to be okay with itHe's actively supporting and promoting itHe hasn't been very supportiveHe has nothing to do with itI don't know
Would you name the bishop as a driving force in the Catholic community of the diocese?

YesNo
Have you ever traveled to a neighboring parish because you knew the bishop would be celebrating the Mass?

YesNo
Before the discussion of the merger, what was your general impression of the bishop?

He seemed like an excellent bishopHe seemed to be doing his best after being handed several messes.He seemed to be sort of along for the rideHe seemed fineI didn't think about the Bishop muchHe didn't seem to be doing positive things for the diocese
What is one of the most efficacious things the bishop could have done to help the diocese before proposing a merger? (Please think creatively. This may still be a good plan going forward.)
Do you have any concerns about how the proposal to merge has been handled?
What do you foresee happening if the merger proceeds? (Check all that apply)

More access to confessionLess access to confessionBetter Catholic communityMore massesFewer MassesDiluting the Catholic communityMore Latin MassMore vocationsMore funding for the parishes that currently comprise the Steubenville DioceseLess funding for the parishes currently comprising the Steubenville DioceseFewer vocationsFewer Latin MassesMore Catholic businessesI doubt anything will changeFewer Catholic businesses
Do you have any other comments you'd like to share?
Your name is not required, but we encourage you to fill out this field to lend weight to your comments above.
Name

First NameLast Name
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A New Survey for the Diocese of Steubenville