So far there have been few signs that the leaders of the Catholic Church in Britain are ready to grasp the nettle labelled “synodality”, even though it is clear that that is the direction in which Pope Francis wants to drive them. Now he is piling on the pressure and they have no choice but to respond. Given that in recent decades the Catholic Church in England and Wales has been a fairly placid institution, even with the scandals surrounding child abuse by clergy, it is not surprising that the bishops would prefer to maintain the status quo. By and large they manage the institution that has been handed on to them as best they can, until it is time to pass it on to their successors. Or, to put it another way, it is not going anywhere fast.