MSW's history was interesting and entertaining to read. At this time, the USCCB is just a bubble inside of which the bishops can commiserate with each other on how misunderstood and unappreciated they are. The bishops can do little more than annoy an apathetic laity. Do the bishops offer a convincing compassionate message of hope and reconciliation to our complex but fractured society?  Some future iteration of Catholic Christianity will be one without them. The current structure of the church just isn't working.