Findings sent to USCCB, which will submit national report to Pope next year

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
The Archdiocese of Mobile’s phase of the Synod on Synodality concluded with a report submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Diocesan reports will be reviewed and a national report will be prepared for submission to Pope Francis next year.
When he announced the Synod on Synodality last year, Pope Francis said the findings will be used to help the Church as it moves forward, walking together with the Holy Spirit.
Directed by Archdiocese of Mobile Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life's Patrick Arensberg, the archdiocese gathered feedback from the people of the archdiocese by asking everyone to respond to a questionnaire available at mobarch.org. Parishes were invited to host their own listening sessions and to submit feedback. 
According to the report, input could be summarized in three broad categories:
n Faithful desired clarity in the presentation of the Church’s teaching.
n Laity should play an important role, especially as it relates to Church transparency.
n Faithful desire inclusivity, both among peoples from various cultures and different ages.

Clarity
According to the report, about 20 percent of respondents articulated a desire for clarity in Church teaching. Comments such as “Educating Catholics about their faith is one of the ways that our Church accompanies people” were made. Many respondents also expressed a desire for the Church to be more evangelical in nature. Many also expressed appreciation for the preconciliar form of the Mass.

Laity
The report states that the call for transparency “seemed to be rooted more in the concept that the laity should be seen as partners with the clergy. For example, several comments were made about the need for ‘more transparency regarding parish finances.’”
Many sought more lay involvement in any investigations regarding any possible impropriety within the Church. Others were also frustrated when priests are reassigned, outside of ordinary assignment changes, without any explanation.

Inclusivity
Many African-Americans responded and expressed a feeling of being “left out and marginalized.” Some expressed that African-Americans are not in leadership roles within the Church.
Others also stressed the importance of youth and young adult ministries, with some wishing there were such ministries in their parishes.
On a positive note, many were proud that there is a regularly scheduled Mass celebrated in their native tongue in their parish.
 - The entire report submitted to the USCCB can be found at mobarch.org