Courtney McGrailStaff reporter
A survey circulated in Limerick ahead of a major diocesan synod there next year has received more than 5,000 responses, The Irish Catholic has learned.
The questionnaire, which was made up of three core questions, quizzed people about which topics they would like to be discussed at the synod, what encouraged them to participate in their local church and what they found difficult about participating.
Synod delegate Rosemary O’Connor told this newspaper that in excess of 4,000 people responded to the questionnaire, while more than 1,000 took part in workshops and meetings which addressed the survey’s content.
“Every questionnaire and every report has been read and coded and it’s been included in the analysis. That’s a big commitment that we wanted to make to the delegates and the 5,000 people who went to the trouble of taking part in this and giving their views. We wanted to give due credence to what people did put forward,” she said.
Rosemary, who was involved in creating a “coding framework” for the responses to the questionnaire, said she was “amazed” by how many people took part.
“I have been amazed that so many people have responded. There is a sense that people are looking for something new. They are looking for a change and a freshness in the Church. The fact that there has been such willingness to listen and hear from the ground up is very positive,” she said.