MEMBERS of Arundel and Brighton diocese are to be asked by their bishop, what they think of the church.
In a pastoral letter read out at all masses in the diocese last Sunday, Bishop Murphy O'Connor announced that a questionnaire was being issued to everyone to help him "focus on the felt needs of priests religious and laity about our way ahead".
The bishop stressed in his letter that "it is not easy to be a Christian, a Catholic in our world today". He hoped that the results of the questionnaire would help in the continuing quest for spiritual renewal in the diocese.
Arundel and Brighton has been involved in Renew a parish based renewal process for the past two years. The forthcoming questionnaire is "very much a part of this same process" explained Fr Kieron O'Brien, information officer for the diocese.
The 45,000 questionnaires to be issued to everyone over 15 in the diocese specifically look at the future of spiritual growth in the diocese. "We also see this exercise as an excellent way of bring clergy and lay people together."