The Diocese of Evansville is hosting listening sessions to get a better sense of how God is working among us in our Diocese. This is part of the Synod of Bishops that will take place in 2023. Our focus is listening to you. We want to know how you’ve experienced God through it all.
The online survey for the diocesan listening sessions is now available. Here is the link to the survey:
https://forms.gle/baStj3wuWWngNepy6
What is a synod?
A synod is a meeting or a gathering of bishops. In 2023 there will be a Synod of Bishops in Rome on the subject of Synodality (or “journeying together”). In preparation for that Synod, there is a diocesan phase and a national phase. What we are doing between now and June 2022 is the diocesan phase.
What happens during the diocesan phase?
During this phase, the Diocese will be hosting listening sessions and sending surveys to get a sense of how people journey together in the Church, that is, how they walk with other people and how they are helped (or not helped) by the Church. These listening sessions are focused on the experience of our people, not on ideas or abstract concepts.
What happens with the information from the listening sessions?
From our listening sessions, we will develop a synthesis that will go to the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), which will synthesize all the contributions from dioceses across the U.S. The Vatican will then take all the contributions from across the world and use them to create a preparatory document for the Synod of Bishops in 2023.
Does this mean we have to wait until 2023 to do something?
No, it certainly does not. We are asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us take the next step forward. If there are major themes that emerge from these listening sessions, then we will follow the Spirit’s lead and pray for the guidance to respond. We are really depending on the guidance of the Holy Spirit for this process.
How can I participate?
You can attend one of the listening sessions, which are currently being scheduled throughout the diocese. If you are unable to attend a listening session, there will also be an online survey you can use to offer your experience of journeying together. The survey will not be available until February 21, 2022, as we want to encourage as many people as possible to attend the listening sessions.