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Document Details :

Title: Die Kirche in Belgien auf dem Weg zur Synode über die Familie
Author(s): KNIEPS-PORT LE ROI, Thomas , DILLEN, Annemie
Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality
Volume: 20    Issue: 1   Date: 2014   
Pages: 36-42
DOI: 10.2143/INT.20.1.3036691

Abstract :
Two initiatives in particular have marked the preparations in the Church in Belgium after Pope Francis’ announcement of an Extraordinary Bishops’ Synod to be held in 2014: First, the Belgian Bishops invited and encouraged Belgian Catholics on a large scale to fill in the questionnaire which the Vatican had distributed in order to receive input from the local churches. The questionnaire was put on-line and by mid-December 2013 the Bishops had received 1589 responses either from individuals or groups. A second, complementary initiative was taken by the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of Leuven where researchers had set up a quantitative survey in order to assess experiences and points of tension in the Church teaching on sexuality, marriage and family issues. The Leuven theologians received 1853 responses mainly from persons who are professionally and/or voluntarily involved in pastoral services and faith transmission in the Flemish Church. The results of both surveys were presented and discussed during a study day at the Leuven Faculty of Theology in May 2014. Although the findings concurred to a great extent in assessing a discrepancy between the church teaching and its reception by Belgian Catholics, the Leuven survey provided additional and more accurate information, mainly with regard to the core group of church-related and committed faithful.

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