text: Francis is understandably unwilling to speak for himself on this matter.  He is waiting for the grass roots to speak, and has been urging us to do so.  In general, of course, and in response to the Spirit who works pastorally.
  
  If the people will speak out and act -- locally -- then women will stay as part of a vibrant church.  We Catholics have for far too long deferred to a top down hierarchy, and that habit is muffling the Spirit.
  
  Francis understands that dynamic, and is inviting an initiative from the "sensus fidelium" that overturns gender discrimination and at the same time preserves the unity of the church.
  
  That's not as tall an order as it sounds, if we simply cultivate the Spirit within us.