The so-called "Francis effect" is being hampered by the very same thing that has hampered the "Obama effect" for eight consecutive years: entrenched obstructionism. Although in fairness to the bishops, they are a little more low-key in their obstructionism than congressional Republicans have been in their blatant attempts to undermine each and every measure President Obama has tried to introduce, starting on day one.

It's an interesting thought experiment to imagine how Francis might have led the church were it not for the recalcitrant conservative episcopate he inherited, just as it's interesting to imagine how much more President Obama could have achieved for the republic without total GOP obstructionism. Sadly, both thought experiments will have to remain within the realm of the imagination.