Empty reply boxes on the questionnaire sent to households – part of a worldwide Vatican initiative – show that the Church needs to learn how to communicate better, according to Joe Inguanez, head of the Curia’s research institute Discern.
The questionnaire, drawn up by Discern and sent out to Maltese households, has been criticised for using technical theological language that made it difficult to grasp and complete.
Questions have also been raised about whether the answers are representative of the Maltese population.
Fr Inguanez explained that the terminology had to reflect that used by the Vatican and, despite attempts to simplify it, people still struggled with some parts.
“If a question is difficult it is indicative as the Church needs to learn not to use such difficult language. These are matters to be faced during the Bishops’ Synod.” He added that, according to experts, the sample was representative but had “an age bias”.
The questionnaire was released ahead of the Synod of Bishops to be held in October.
Fr Inguanez stressed that the Vatican did not issue a questionnaire but a document addressed to Bishops that included a series of questions meant to gauge people’s opinions on the Church’s teachings about thorny moral issues connected with the family.
Bishops were asked to report on their country’s situation during the October synod. Each country was allowed to come up with its own way of answering these questions.
The Maltese Church opted for a questionnaire drawn up by Discern. Fr Inguanez said the questions were fashioned on the Vatican’s questions – some of which used technical terminology.
“We tried to ensure we did not leave out anything listed by the Vatican,” he explained, adding that other questions were included to help people make sense of the issues.
Some questions were put in as filters to the complex terms. For example, in the case when people were asked about natural law (a philosophical and legal belief that all humans are governed by basic innate laws) they were first asked if they knew what it was.
The questionnaire was designed using a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methodology and was sent to all households by post and put online. Open-ended questions (qualitative) were re-coded to be able to extract statistics.
Is questionnaire sample truly representing reality?
About 100,000 questionnaires were sent out and 7,000 were filled in – of which 700 were answered online.
Statisticians informed Discern that this was a sample representative of the population but there was a bias in terms of age with a larger number of older respondents, Fr Inguanez said.
Statistics lecturer Saviour Chircop said that 7,000 was a strong sample. However, before stating whether this was truly representative, one would have to look at “who the respondents are” in terms of demographics, which include gender and age.
“We know that society is changing so, if we have an older sample, is it truly representing the reality out there?” he questioned.
Speaking about the age bias Fr Inguanez agreed one had to keep in mind that responses reflected the sample of respondents. This might explain some “surprising” results published in The Sunday Times of Malta that obtained a preview of the local study. Results showed that nearly 50 per cent of Maltese accepted and lived by the Church’s teachings on responsible birth control but found it difficult to follow and nearly 70 per cent accepted the teachings on family life and tried to follow them.
Results also showed that nearly 20 per cent ignored the Church’s stand on birth control and acted according to their conscience.
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, president of the Episcopal Conference, said he was surprised, yet cautious, by the picture painted by the study. “The figures are consoling. I feel that although the indications aren’t negative, we have to remain hands-on and vigilant to continue offering a good service and improving,” he told The Sunday Times of Malta.
Fr Inguanez agreed that the figures had to be interpreted with caution. For example, there were instances when people said they agreed with the teachings of the Church but did not know what the Humane Vitae was.
(It is a 1968 encyclical written by Pope Paul VI re-affirming the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church regarding married love, responsible parenthood and the continued rejection of most forms of birth control).
“There are areas of shadows and we understand that. One must look at the purpose: The Church wanted a stronger feel of what the people are feeling so that it can better carry out its mission of evangelisation,” he said. Results should now be studied to look at how to strengthen the positive elements and address any problems, he said.