ATF, this is so on point as to be chilling. I think prior to the eruption of the scandal publicly, the church was already struggling in many ways. Paul VI's rejection of the voice of the laity in his issuance of HV tore a rather large rift between the bishops and the laity.  Sad to say, the episcopal culture doesn't allow for a "backing down," much less a "we were wrong" coupled with an apology.  So we've now had 3 or so generations of Catholics who have pretty much rejected the church on this one (typically 85-90% in studies), yet the bishops plod on as good company men.  In doing that, they project an air of superiority, and even contempt.  That was going on BEFORE the scandal, and the emergence of women to a new place in secular society.  

The work that's needed is indeed foundational.  I too don't see change happening within the existing structure.  The best chance they may have MIGHT be a new Council, but prep for those often takes decades, and they don't have that kind of time.