Pope Francis is Polling Catholics on Hot Topics

Vatican watchers say Francis' polling attempt is extraordinary on two levels: first, because it seeks input from rank-and-file Roman Catholics and second, because it touches on issues that might have been considered off-limits in past papacies.

The document sent to every nation's conference of bishops notes that the ancient church and its members are grappling with "concerns which were unheard of until a few years ago."

Same-sex unions, mixed marriages, single-parent families and surrogate mothers are all mentioned in the prelude to a list of questions that get into the nitty-gritty of 21st century life:

    "What pastoral attention can be given to people who live in these types of [same-sex] union?"
    "In the case of unions of persons of the same sex who have adopted children, what can be done pastorally in light of transmitting the faith?"
    "Do [the divorced and remarried] feel marginalized or suffer from the impossibility of receiving the sacraments?"
    "In cases where non-practicing Catholics or declared non-believers request the celebration of marriage, describe how this pastoral challenge is dealt with."

Read the rest here.