Young people across Australia are being called to share their views about life, faith, and their experience of Church through an online survey published today by the Australian Bishops.

The survey seeks to capture the opinions and perspectives of young people as part of a national consultation process that will inform an international conversation in Rome next year.

Pope Francis will lead the international conversation at the Vatican. Representatives from all over the world will be invited to Rome to share their experiences and views at a meeting in October 2018.

Australians aged between 16 and 29 years are encouraged to complete the survey. The questions cover a range of topics including: the experience of being listened to, using social media and technology, friendships and influences in today’s world, opportunities for engagement with Church activities such as, outreach programs, youth masses, community leadership or parish events.

At a recent gathering of young people in Rome which has informed and helped to prepare this process, Ashleigh Green, a young social worker from Sydney said, one of her hopes for the Church in Australia is that ‘we can better engage our most disadvantaged and marginalised young Australians’.

‘I hope that we can use the common yearning for social justice as an avenue to engage youth and I hope that we can create new spaces for community within the Church,’ Ms Green added.

This is a unique opportunity for young people to have their voice heard on a range of topics. The Australian bishops see the potential of young people; they seek to listen to young people and they recognise that sometimes young people struggle to find their sense of place and purpose.

Young people are encouraged to tell their friends about the survey or share the link with their networks.

Pope Francis has called young people to join this inclusive journey saying that the Church ‘wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities’.

He stressed, ‘Every young person has something to say to others…all of us need to listen to you!’, and he added ‘even young people who consider themselves agnostics, even young people whose faith is lukewarm; even young people who no longer go to Church; even young people who consider themselves atheists’.

Developed by the Pastoral Research Office in collaboration with the ACU Ethics Committee, the survey can be completed online https://www.catholic.org.au/youthsurvey. It will run for four weeks, the closing date for responses is midnight on Sunday, 2 July 2017.

Back to List


More News


22.04.2025

Death of Pope Francis - statement from Bishop Tim Harris

Statement from Most Rev. Tim Harris Catholic Bishop of Townsville on the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis Monday evening, like the rest of the world, I saw the news from the Vatican with the announcement that Pope Francis has died.He has been ...

Read Full Article
7.02.2025

An Open Letter to the Jewish Community

An Open Letter to the Jewish Community Dear sisters and brothers, We write as leaders of Christian communities in Queensland wanting to express our solidarity with you in the wake of recent antisemitic attacks, which have left the Jewish community generally f...

Read Full Article
4.02.2025

A Pastoral Message from Bishop Tim Harris regarding the flooding event

A Pastoral Message from Bishop Tim re the Flooding event Dear Friends, Greetings. In recent days many of you have experienced heavy rain and flooding. It seems for the most part however that Townsville has dodged a bullet in terms of the effects. Other commu...

Read Full Article
20.12.2024

North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services Announces Change of Constitution

Roman Catholic Trust Corporation of the Diocese of Townsville Announces Future Change to North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services Constitution The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation of the Diocese of Townsville (RCTCDT) has announced that signif...

Read Full Article
20.06.2024

Diocesan Safeguarding Audit celebrates achievements

Diocesan Safeguarding Audit celebrates achievements   An independent safeguarding audit of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville has assessed a 100 per cent compliance rating with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards according to the audit report pub...

Read Full Article
17.06.2024

Call to support the Peter’s Pence appeal in 2024

Call to support the Peter’s Pence appeal in 2024 Catholics around Australia are being encouraged to support the Peter’s Pence appeal on June 30, the Sunday after the Feast of St Peter and St Paul.  Donations to the appeal, which goes back to M...

Read Full Article
28.05.2024

FR DAVE CHARGES DROPPED

Today, Fr Dave Lancini has had all charges dismissed by the Magistrate after the prosecution offered no evidence to all charges. In November 2023 Fr Dave was charged with historic offences dating back to 1969. Fr Dave had strongly denied any involvement in th...

Read Full Article
25.01.2024

Parish Mass Cancellations

Parish Mass Cancellationsdue to Cyclone Kirrily Due the weather event and expected heavy rainfall and potiential of flodding, the following masses have been cancelled across the Diocese. Cathedral Parish The following Masses have been cancelled across the Pari...

Read Full Article
More Links in this section