The Diocese of Tucson announced that it has released a survey for anyone who was not able to participate in a Synod listening session. The survey results will be considered alongside the feedback gathered during the listening session.

"This survey is specifically designed for residents of the Diocese of Tucson who were not able to take part in a parish or school listening session for the 2023 Synod of Bishops," the diocese said in a Facebook post this week.

Parishioners can take the survey through March 26, and results will be considered in conjunction with those gathered during the 130 Synod listening sessions that took place within the diocese.

In 2021, Pope Francis announced the "Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church," a release issued on TheConversation.com said. The process will last for two years and involves expanding the existing "Synod of Bishops." Bishops around the world will be consulting with monks, nuns, parishioners and lay people to bring more openness and transparency to the Church. 

It is called a synod because the word comes from a Greek word meaning "coming together" or "traveling together," the release said. The Synodal tradition for the Church began with ancient Christian leaders who would come together to discuss and pray about issues that affected the whole Church. 

By the 16th century, these gatherings were happening infrequently, the release went on to say. One of the goals of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was to reemphasize the role of bishops as leaders of their communities and encourage more communication and cooperation between bishops.

The Diocese of Tucson encouraged participants in the synodal process to consider these questions: "In our local Church, who are those who 'walk together'?" "Who are those who seem further apart?" "How is God speaking to us through voices we sometimes ignore, especially people who experience poverty, marginalization or social exclusion?" "How do prayer and liturgical celebrations actually inspire and guide our common life and mission in our community?" "To what extent do diverse peoples in our community come together for dialogue?" "What methods and processes do we use in decision-making?"

Respondents can access the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/synodtucson. 

"Please continue to pray for all those engaging the synodal process throughout the world and ask the Holy Spirit to continue to guide Pope Francis and our bishops in their ministry and prayer," the diocese said in the Facebook post.