The purpose of the questionnaire, which has 20 queries, is «to solicit answers based on conditions in the different local Churches, so as to identify positive aspects to share and eventual insufficiencies that must be surmounted in a loyal and constructive dialogue,» the Vatican press office announced today.
The motto of the synod, to be held in Rome from Oct. 2-29, 2005, is «The Eucharist, Source and Culmination of the Life and Mission of the Church.»
The questionnaire is the last chapter of the «lineamenta,» or outline, of the synod, sent to bishops. After gathering the feedback to the outline, the bishops will prepare a statement that must be sent to the synod’s General Secretariat by Dec. 31.
The answers received will assist in the elaboration of the «instrumentum laboris,» or working document, of the synodal assembly next year.
The outline and questionnaire, which were sent to the bishops March 31, will be published in the near future in the Roman Curia section of the Vatican Web page, under the «Synod of Bishops» link.
