Yet it is the laity that shoulders the burdens and fall-out of all of these outdated and inefficient offices and from the foolish lack of being included in important discussions.  I have never found any logic in the methods of the Church hierarchy other than being completely self-serving and even petty - much like most of or commentary Tri!  Just how many lay Catholics do you think care a whit about "canonical penalties," especially since just about no one with canonical status was punished for the sex abuse crisis?  Why, a few of them have even found enviable positions as bishops and even in vacancies in Rome!  So save the Church elite gobbledygook for yourself and your friends, and stay clear of the reforms needed to save the Church from further decline (although I fear that is, indeed, a lost cause at this point).  And, I pray you will have a blessed and peaceful Christmas season.