NEW YORK (AP) – The Vatican is conducting a worldwide survey on how parishes deal with sensitive issues such as birth control, divorce and gay marriage, seeking input ahead of a major meeting on the family that Pope Francis plans next year.

Included in the survey are questions concerning the recognition of gay marriage in their country, how priests minister to same-sex couples and how churches respond when gays seek a religious education or sacraments for their children. The survey also asks parishes whether they believe married men and women tend to follow church teaching barring the use of artificial contraception.

The pope pledges to move away from what a “Vatican-centric” approach toward one where local church leaders are more involved in decision-making.

The pope has said the church needs to do a better job preparing young people for marriage, lamenting that newlyweds seem to think marriage isn’t a lifelong commitment but just a “provisional” one.

While he has made clear his support for traditional marriage and his opposition to abortion, the pope has urged pastors to focus on being merciful and welcoming rather than emphasizing only such divisive issues as abortion, gay marriage and contraception.