WelCom September 2023
The Archdiocese of Wellington will be taking part in the New Zealand Church Life Survey (CLS) 2023 from 9 to 26 September.
CLS is a national ecumenical survey being adopted for the first time by all New Zealand Catholic dioceses.
Earlier this year the New Zealand Catholic bishops decided the CLS will take place across the country in 2023. Up until this year only the Auckland Catholic diocese had participated.
The survey is administered separately by each diocese, with the CLS organisation. The Diocese of Palmerston North parishes carried out their survey in June.
This ecumenical initiative enables parishioners to offer feedback and contribute to data related to the local and national Church.
Data collected will provide a parish with a snapshot of who they are, informing priorities and helping with decision-making.
The survey is complementary to the synodal process, contributing to understanding of who we are as a parish, diocese, and at national level.
The CLS covers topics such as demographics, growth in faith, commitment to each parish’s vision and community, and relationship to society, reaching out to others, caring for young people, and attitudes towards leadership.
The survey is easy to use, and parishioners can take part digitally, or by using pen and paper. Each parish will receive a unique code for security. Information will be available at parishes.
It is expected that parishes will make the results available to their communities once the survey is completed.
The 2023 Church Life Survey NZ is administered by the Christian Research Association of New Zealand, in partnership with the Wilberforce Foundation and Auckland Church Network. The aim is to strengthen and support the Christian Church across New Zealand by equipping leaders with high-quality research and data.