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There are intractable structural obstacles to substantive and lasting reform in the church, and most of those obstacles have to do with the fact that the next pope can undo much, if not all, of what a previous pope accomplishes. John Paul II aggressively and effectively reversed many of the post-Vatican II reforms because he aborted them as they were still in the birthing process. John Paul II and Benedict XVI had thirty-five years during which to undermine the Council, which they did primarily by way of the bishops they selected. That’s not to deny the importance of curial reform; but I would argue that the most pressing reform issue is the way bishops are chosen. Even if Francis has five years remaining to him, he still will have served less than ten as bishop of Rome. He knows -- everyone knows -- that that may be enough time to begin the work that needs to be done, but it is surely not enough time to complete it. He must prioritize. Three suggestions, just for starters: