The road-block [among many] here, is that our arch/bishops in the U.S. really don't talk about, or discuss with each other the real issues behind the "divide" that they are helping to perpetuate among American Catholics.  Too many have forgotten, that:

1) No bishop is a law unto himself.  Every bishop is a member of the communion of bishops, and they are to work together to promote harmony and order among all the churches in the nation.  This is called 'collegiality'.
2) While the term 'collegiality' refers to the decision making structure between the pope [who must also be a bishop] and the other bishops, it is a strong call for greater participation of laypersons in decision-making processes in the church.
3) The laity, as Pope John Paul II emphasized, speaking to the bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey [Sept. 11, 2004], are part of that "ecclesial communion presupposing the participation of every category of the faithful...'
Fear is the problem, not the laity or their world.