Institutional decline of US bishops' conference obvious on first day of meeting

Institutional decline of US bishops' conference obvious on first day of meeti
Cardinal DiNardo is in our prayers, but we must wonder whether the Vice President is either an empty cassock or was ignored by conference staff (or both). The Conference will adopt the letter of the moto proprio,  but I doubt that it's spirit will be honored in those diocese which have already ignore the Dallas Charter. Vatican enforcement will imply their liability for all abuse claims, which would be just.

It is simply not true that Christ established a hierarchical Church. Lumen Gentium is hierarchical because it was written and approved by hierarchs. Christ warmed the Twelve not to be like the Gentiles and give themselves honors. This is more observed as the exception, not the rule. The washing of the feet on Holy Thursday has become empty ritual.

These are not issues for theology. Theologians and clerics do not have the tools to examine Church governance. They have been mucking things up for 19 centuries. This is a matter for sociology, particularly organization theory.

The Church has marched from simple democracy in electing pastors, who rightfully should carry the shepherd's crook, to patriarchs and metropolitan bishops to a Pope in schism with New Rome and Mediaeval power structures which exist to this day.

It is time to devolve to bishops elected by clergy, including a new lay office of deacon administrator (married, single, widowed with the option to remarry, gay or straight), both of whom to be hired by the people or their elders. Pastors could elect the metropolitans who would be assisted by monsignori. Metropolitans would elect national, continental or linguistic patriarchs and Matriarchs in union with New Rome or Wahington - the modern seat of empire, elected by his or her brothers and sisters.

The Holy Spirit has not stopped speaking and is certainly not telling us to reject democracy. All desire Her as the attractive Good, which we seek with our intellects. There is no divine right to lead the nation or the Church other than by free people.