Thanks for your kind words Phrogge.

Francis is an enigma to me.  He says really good things, and the way he lives is personal life is refreshing, and truly admirable. But at the same time, he seems to miss some really big things, often seeming to err on the side of clericalism. The scandal is probably as good an example of this as any.  He KNOWS that the laity wants accountability, yet, he walked away from his "tribunal" idea, and appears to have all but abandoned the Commission. Both of those were greeted with high hopes from the laity. I for one was truly saddened to read Maria's piece when she quit, and mentioned that she never even got to talk to the pope. Guess he has more important things to do...

The gap exists, but I strongly suspect that's what's giving the Spirit room to work. Something new will emerge, and I fear the bishops will be the last to see it. At our core, we still thirst for good news, for meaning, for compassion, and wisdom.  That's the hope, and the seed...