The Vatican's Poll

WHy do the American bishops have "a sort of exemption" from the poll?

I can't imagine, as Fr. Martin mentions, that the U.S. Bishops will refuse to conduct this poll. Of course, the most important thing about surveys and polls are the "results" and "what is done with the results". if the bishops and Pope Francis use the results to responsibly reform certain teachings or do implement something significant to change the tide of Catholic non-reception, then this effort will be truly worth it. Based on the recent interview that Pope Francis gave to Commonweal Magazine, one of his answers to the question if certain teachings might be reformed, he implied that this would be sad because the Church's teachings on the issues of homosexual relationships and contraception were "just catching on". One could only speculate that PF was either being humorous or that he is misinformed about Catholic reception. It is abundantly clear from recent polls that Catholics are more tolerant of same sex unions, while the overwhelming percentage of Catholics across all age cohorts have not received Humanae Vitae (e.g, about 90% in the U.S.) . In fact, according to a United Nations Report, only about 3% of married women worldwide use periodic continence or natural family planning as the preferred means of birth control. If the bishops and Pope Francis do very little with the results of this world-wide poll of Catholics, then most Catholics will be extremely disappointed. Remember that Paul VI did not accept the conclusions of the Majority Report of the Pontifical Birth Control Commission that was made up of 72 members from 5 continents, including 16 theologians, 13 physicians and 5 women without medical credentials, with an executive committee of 16 bishops from 11 countries including 7 cardinals. Let's hope Pope Francis and the Bishops will seriously reflect upon the results of this poll and recognize that the Holy Spirit moves us to the truth in agreement and disagreement.

The last time I consulted scripture (English, Spanish, Latin and Greek versions), the Holy Spirit was still "He." Is there a relevant theological reason for changing Him a Her? According to Von Balthasar, the Virgin Mary is the perfect creature espoused by the Holy Spirit to bring forth Our Lord and Saviour.

Clearly Jesus entered the world as both man and God. This does not mean that everyone in heaven, including God, is a particular gender because they are "spirit". Scripture does refer to God as He, but this may be more of a problem of the ancient writers of the Bible who lived in a paternalistic society. Women were second class citizens, so to speak. The issue of God's gender does not seem to be worth too many words.

In light of Archbishop Muller's recent reaffirmation "No Change for Divorced and Remarried Catholics", my question is this: What is the point of this poll and the up-coming Snod on the Family? Does anyone now think that any teaching that plagues RCC families today will be changed such as: contraception, artificial reproductive technologies, same-sex unions and frozen embryo adoption? I think not.

Fr. Martin - While I know this is very trendy, there is a little more at stake in calling the Holy Spirit female (with a female pronoun). It not only deviates from Scripture and Tradition but adds to the massive gender confusion that is going on in our society (you may have seen the CNN or NPR report today about German government's decision to recognize a third gender). While I know there are some feminine metaphors that refer to God, one is taking major license going beyond that. One implication would be that two feminine beings cooperated together to conceive the Lord Jesus Christ. It also adds an unwarranted sexual analogy to the Trinity.

I wonder if anyone at the Vatican has thought about how to ensure any information from these polls are scientifically reliable? Otherwise, they will be seen to be useless and will waste everyone's time (and waste money). At a minimum, it will be important to see if the people answering the polls are doing so once or multiple times, if they are Catholic, if they are practicing, believing, etc. A poll is only useful if the tested sample can be shown to be a statistically accurate reflection of the target population. On another point, I think it demeans the noble term "sensus fidelium" by associating it with opinion polls and there was never any such connection in the Vatican II documents. An opinion poll is very different from determining the opinion of the faithful, especially if it is not scientifically controlled, if the questions are too open-ended, or too open to a variety of interpretations, etc. How could one be sure one was getting the sense of the "faithful" unless one asked a series of doctrinal or practice questions, at a minimum? As a logical point, one should at least be able to determine if the data generated represent the "faithful" or the "unfaithful." Finally, the Holy Spirit is in no way dependent on opinion polls to get His message out.

The term faithful and unfaithful is a form of demeaning rhetoric and name-calling. For example, how does one define faithful and unfaithful? Is it weekly Mass attendance, agreement with every Church teaching or other factors? Are only a narrowly defined segment of the senses fidelium, called faithful Catholic opinion, important to the task of inclusion? Does the Holy Spirit only speak to those that abide by every Church teaching? I think not. What is important about survey methodology, that my friend Tim O'Leary mentioned, is important. I add the the following: 1. The questions should be both theologically accurate yet understandable to average Catholics. 2. The questions should be relevant and representative of all the issues facing Catholics today, especially those issues that are in tension with Church teachings. For example, the questions should address unanswered and difficult questions such as: frozen embryo adoption, sterilization when another pregnancy threatens the life of a mother with certainty, self-stimulation for male semen fertility analysis, termination of pregnancy to save the life of the mother and in cases of rape and incest. Questions should also probe: the confidence of Catholics with the hierarchy, and if certain actions are always immoral such as: same-sex unions, homosexual relationships, masturbation, divorce and remarriage, contraception, the use of various reproductive technologies for infertile couples, etc. Other questions should also address if pastoral advice is different from doctrinal teachings on various issues and if the individual conscience is used rather than hierarchy teachings in cases of moral dilemma. 3. The answers, if multiple choice, should be clear and span all reasonable and possible choices. 4. The questionnaire should capture information so that the findings can be broken down by age cohort, marital status (divorced and remarried, divorced and single, single and never married, married and never divorced, widow or widower), country, frequency of Mass attendance, frequency of confession, among other important breakdowns. 5. The surveys should be sent to all "registered" members of each parish or a list representative of all Catholics in a parish. 6. The findings should be statistically significant with a 95% confidence level. 7. The questions should not be biased or slanted to gain or encourage a specify answer. 8. Some questions should be asked to determine if Catholics understand certain teachings and if specific education programs such as natural family planning programs offered by parishes have been effective and if not "why not". I am certain that I missed a few important considerations, but the major point is this: if the pope and bishops want to understand the attitudes and opinions of the worldwide senses fidelium, then ensure that the methodology is professionally accurate, questions span the deeply into difficult issues, and the Vatican takes the time to "learn" from the many surveys that have been going on for a long time such as those frequently conducted by the Catholic University of America and Georgetown University. Lastly, survey results are only important to the critical task of inclusion if the voices of the senses fidelium are appropriately acted upon and not ignored or minimized.

If each diocese or conference of bishops is free to design their own lay survey/poll in anticipation of the 2014 Synod on the Family, then the findings will be a convoluted mess of dissimilar results. See the following "open questions" format from the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales...Extraordinary Synod on the Family 2014 Survey www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=28hu/J2JI4/... Let's hope that a mandatory survey of questions are provided to each conference of bishops giving them latitude to add more questions relevant to the families they shepherd. Otherwise, open-ended and dissimilar questions will do an injustice to such an important worldwide poll of the real attitudes and opinions of Catholic families on the important issues.

How do we distinguish between that which comes from the Holy Spirit and that which comes from Satan? Surely not all of those polled will be responding after deep spiritual contemplation of the questions being asked. In any event, I don't think that the Bishops will be seeking peoples' opinions about the Church's perspective on today's hot social topics. Those diverse opinions are well known. I think that what they should be seeking is what Catholics believe that the Church teaches on certain subjects and where and how they acquired that knowledge. For example, a widespread belief among Catholics that the Church teaches that homosexuals are not welcome to attend mass and was learned online from, e.g., America Magazine or from a homily or from CCD or from an op-ed about a recent speech by Pope Francis would help the Bishops figure out how to reconnect to and educate what is likely a largely misinformed/uniformed group, courtesy of a liberal media and homosexual lobby. Whereas V-II made the mistake of making the shepherd bend to the sheep's path, I should hope that this Synod will focus on how to get the flock to return and follow the shepherd through outreach and education. There are already plenty of protestant sects out there; we don't need a Catholic Church that protests itself (again).

I googled this subject again and read the actual letter to the Conferences of Bishops and the questionaire that accompanied the letter. I also read the letter sent on behalf of Cardinal Dolan to all U.S. Bishops. The attached questionnaire is the same questionaire that was posted online by the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales. This questionnaire can be completed by any Catholic from any country and the completed questionnaire will be forwarded to their local bishops. The questionnaire is to be completed and returned to the Vatican by the end of January 2014 (U.S. Bishops by December 31, 2013). The questions are very general and a careful reading of them is perplexing because they seem to apply to parish priests about the opinions of their parishioners, not a questionnaire addressed to lay Catholics per se. The letter seems to say that the questionnaire should be distributed widely, but then it is not clear if this means the senses fidelium or parish priests. I can't imagine if every parish will distribute this questionaire to its parishioners, then send all the completed "hand-written" questionaires to their bishop, then to Rome. To translate, collate and record all hand-written answers from as many as a hundred million worldwide parishioners is a monster of an problem, but not impossible. I would not be surprised if not all parishioners will be given the opportunity to complete the questionnaire. I would also not be surprised if not all parish priests will complete the questionnaire on behalf of their parishes. Even if they did, I can imagine a thunder of criticism by many parishioners because they would question how their priest would know their opinions on such specific issues as contraception, same-sex marriages, the divorced and remarried, cohabitation, et al….which are the issues that the questionnaire addresses. Parishioners will also wonder why they were not offered an opportunity to complete the questionnaire…as the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales is doing. I supposed we will know more about this issue sooner rather than later.

I have never seen the term "sensus fidelium" so abused as on the comments below. A poll of "registered" Catholics (what does "registered" even mean?) could never get at the sensus fidelium. It is even implied that priests do not represent part of the sensus fidelium (again the grammar is all wrong). When did they get excluded? This would be comical if it wasn't so serious. Also, a poll generally tests only a tiny sample of the population it is presumed to represent (in political polls, a thousand or so are presumed to represent the over 300,000,000 US population, so the chances of being included in a questionnaire is tiny). Maybe, a census is needed, where everyone remotely connected with the Catholic Church could be included. The Church could ask the Obama Administration if they can add a few questions to the ObamaCare website!

The senses fidelium is defined as the people of God and is all-inclusive. If there is an explicit and unambiguous definition of sensus fidelium that the Church expects bishops to use, I am open to be enlightened. Clearly political and other polls are conducted by sampling. However, the poll questionnaire sent out by the Vatican and posted online by the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales was not limited to some kind of definition of faithful Catholics. It was open to all Catholics. If such a poll is to be distributed to all Catholics, and it is unclear if this is the intention of the Pope Francis, then each parish must have the names and addresses of their parishioners or they would have to hand out the questionnaire after each Mass. Many parishes have a register of their parishioners. Other do not. Some may post the questionnaire on their parish website, if one is available. If all parish priests are expected to complete this questionnaire, and not parishioners, then I have no idea how every parish priest would have knowledge of the attitudes and opinions of their parishioners on the issues that this poll addresses: contraception, same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage, cohabitation…et al. For example, my parish has 1 priest and 2500 parishioners. Perhaps every priest will rely on their judgment based on a small sample of parishioners that he had first hand information about their opinions on these issues. If so, the results could be highly misleading. Perhaps, we will lean more about this poll in the weeks ahead.

Per the news today, the Vatican did not intend the questionnaire to be completed by lay Catholics (despite offering this questionnaire to all Catholics by the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales). It seems that the Vatican wants to get their hands around the status of the question (on issues concerning marriage) for the 2014 Synod on the Family. Nevertheless, if bishops expect their parish priests to respond to the questions posited in this questionnaire, for many of them ask about the reception of various teachings and prevalence of people living in irregular marriages, et al, then priests will be hard-pressed to provide accurate results. Perhaps the Vatican is only interested in "general observations and judgments" from parish priests. At least Pope Francis is calling for a most important Synod on the Family, first session in 2014 to address the status of the question and another one in 2015 to address pastoral responses. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all bishops and the pope with His wisdom, love and courage in addressing the fundamental problems of non-reception and the inconsistencies/contradictions between doctrine and pastoral advice.

Come to think of it, didn't the Church in a chosen slate poll by casting lots, selecting Matthias to replace Judas? So following that Apostolic tradition, I think polling the People of God is right on target as a device through which the Holy Spirit can speak. Isn't it also true that Popes are sometimes chosen by Conclave polling?

Michael – regarding a definition of Sensus Fidelium, it is best to go to the source, which can be found in the Vatican Council II document Lumen Gentium. http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html. The definition is in section 12: “The entire body of the faithful, anointed as they are by the Holy One, cannot err in matters of belief. They manifest this special property by means of the whole peoples' supernatural discernment in matters of faith when "from the Bishops down to the last of the lay faithful" they show universal agreement in matters of faith and morals. That discernment in matters of faith is aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth. It is exercised under the guidance of the sacred teaching authority, in faithful and respectful obedience to which the people of God accepts that which is not just the word of men but truly the word of God. Through it, the people of God adheres unwaveringly to the faith given once and for all to the saints, penetrates it more deeply with right thinking, and applies it more fully in its life.” Notice especially the words “entire”, “whole”, “faithful”, “universal agreement”, and “under the guidance of the sacred teaching authority”, “in faithful and respectful obedience.” So, it specifically excludes a sensus laicorum (sense of the lay people), or any opinion of that is apart from the Magisterium. It in no way can be determined using a poll or be used to counter official teaching. it cannot even advance new teaching ("adheres unwaveringly to the faith given once and for all to the saints"). For a more recent confirmation see what Pope Benedict said to the International Theological Commission on Dec 7, 2012: "Today, however, it is particularly important to clarify the criteria used to distinguish the authentic sensus fidelium from its counterfeits. In fact, it is not some kind of public opinion of the Church, and it is unthinkable to mention it in order to challenge the teachings of the Magisterium, this because the sensus fidei cannot grow authentically in the believer except to the extent in which he or she fully participates in the life of the Church, and this requires a responsible adherence to her Magisterium.”

Tim - I understand that my examples of ecclesial polling weren't universally applicable within its present frame, but since the "polling principle" whatever that is (!) was already in place, maybe it could be extended to other Church business as well. Your explanation throws light of why it couldn't or shouldn't be done and as stated it would seem that because "Rome has spoken the case is closed." Well, maybe, so let's see what will happen over time. Thanks for taking time to comment on my post, but as is my preference, I do not like to enter into an ongoing back and forth so probably this will be my last post on the subject. Again, thanks!

Tim, If input is the goal of this Synod on the Family, and the Church wants to know the attitudes and opinions of the laity, especially with respect to teachings received and not, and the obstacles the Church faces in increasing reception, then their voices should be heard. It is unclear exactly what the goal of this poll is. It asks for specific answers on many issues that cannot be possibly known with accuracy by every priest. If framing the status of the question, which I assume but cannot be certain of, is the goal of the 2014 Synod on the Family, then theological input should also be garnered. Theological input cannot be limited to traditionalists and a repeat of doctrine and its historic narrative, but also to revisionists and the principles and philosophical disagreements that must be addressed if reception is to increase. As Fr. Martin wisely said, "….the Holy Spirit is at work in everybody…from the Pope, to the local bishop, to your pastor, to the sister teaching in your school, to the director of religious education at your parish, to the mother of three, to the man who holds out the collection basket on Sundays, to the college student struggling with her faith, to the fellow who cleans the church bathrooms, to the Catholic baptized just last Easter. The Holy Spirit is at work in her church and in her people. And she will let her voice be heard, this time through these polls, because she desires to speak." The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth in agreement and disagreement. This will be my last comment.