Participate in family, marriage discussions, NZ bishops urge

New Zealand Catholics are asked to participate and contribute their thoughts and ideas in a survey as the Synod on Marriage and Family enters a “new phase”.

Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan will represent New Zealanders in the synod that will be held in Rome later this year.
The Holy See sent a further questionnaire to all Catholic Bishops Conferences.This questionnaire is available online and as a Word document. People are being invited to respond by March 9.
In a statement, the bishops called on the faithful to reflect on these questions individually or collectively as a community.
“Pope Francis wants us to focus on practical pastoral approaches which uphold and strengthen the beauty of married life and also accompany and guide those whose relationships are not unfolding within the bond of marriage. To this end a further questionnaire has been sent to all Catholic communities across the globe,” they said in a statement.
The bishops said they are acutely aware there are a lot of people who consider themselves Catholic but do not go to Church regularly.
“Please encourage these family members and friends to participate. Also of particular interest to us are those who see themselves as beyond the Church: perhaps some divorced and remarried, or gay women and men. We urge you to share your experiences through the questionnaire. No-one walks beyond the reach of the Good Shepherd,” he said.
The bishops said people need not answer all the questions in the survey.
“Whatever you choose to share, your voice as well as those of groups such as our priests, RE teachers, and marriage preparation teams etc will be heard. In this way we will deepen our knowledge of who we are as the People of God in Aotearoa and our submission will be a truly collective response to the Holy Spirit’s on-going work within each of us and the Church in this land,” the statement said.
The questionnaire can be found online at www.catholic.org.nz .
To respond using a Word Document, visit the website to find an electronic copy which can be completed and returned by email to Simone Olsen, Communications Adviser, [email protected]
If you would like a printed copy of the questionnaire to be sent to you for you to fill in and return by post, please ring Simone Olsen, Communications Adviser, 04 496 1725 or email her [email protected]