Red, thanks for the feedback on Australia. I remember reading about Dixon's research a few months ago but it is always good to get back in touch with what he said. I have the utube video running on another tab while I am typing this.

If the Church has the quality of that kind of research available, why don't they use it?  Do they have someone studying Dixon's work and the work done by Professor Des Cahill and Dr Peter Wilkinson?  

There is an enormous amount of expertise the bishops can draw on in Australia and there is a (shrinking) coterie of Catholics who do care in groups such as Catholics for Renewal and Concerned Catholics.  There are voices in Eureka Street, The Swag, Catholica and other publications who have something valuable to say.  They could listen to Bill Morris.  They will have to work to get attendance by those who dropped away or only participate occasionally - why should bother?  It would help if they promised to really show them the respect of listening to them.