A new questionnaire invites people from ages 16-29 to help the world’s bishops prepare for their 2018 Synod gathering on “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”. 

The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops has just opened  of a website in preparation for the Fifteenth Ordinary Assembly on the theme “Young people, the faith, and vocational discernment,” which will be held in October of 2018. This website is  available as at http:// youth.synod2018.va.

According to Card. Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops: “ This initiative will enable the promotion of wider participation among all young people around the world, not only for receiving information on the synodal event but also for interacting and participating in the path of preparation.”

The website facilitates the online sharing of information, knowledge, experiences, and initiatives. Whilst the questionnaire – in Italian, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese – is the tool by which young people can make their voices heard, expressing their feelings and faith, as well as their doubts and criticism, so that their voices may reach the Pastors, as they were invited to do by Pope Francis in the Letter he addressed to them at the beginning of the Synod journey.

In the Letter the Pope wrote: “ A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, you desire to change and your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who propos bold choices: do not delay when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master. The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard buy your shepherds of souls”.

The online questionnaire is different from the questionnaire contained in the Preparatory Document in that it has different questions and purposes. Indeed, it is aimed at young people who are invited to ‘tell’ their lives, their expectations, and their fears.

Through the proposed questions, young people can introduce themselves, say how they see themselves and the world around them, indicate how they live their relationships with others, and what their stance on life choices is. They are asked their views about their relationship with religion, faith and the Church. The last series of questions is about their online presence. Finally, they are invited to say something about themselves that has not been asked in the questionnaire. 

The answers must be received by the General Secretariat by Nov. 30, 2017.