In need of a history lesson here. In the past, when a clear and present danger, on a similar order of magnitude presented itself, was the Laity as incapable of effecting a favorable outcome as it is now? Or is schism the only way out?
Good question though, I gotta look it up.
Excellent question which I have also wondered. Are there any historical precedents to follow? I think I've heard of heretical bishops being chased out of their cathedrals by angry mobs, but I think that was in the East.
I'd be interested to hear any input from those who know of historical precedents where the laity took action against heretical and/or corrupt prelates.
"was the Laity as incapable of effecting a favorable outcome as it is now?"
In the late 1520's, the people of Devon and Cornwall were so sick with the new English communion service forced on them by Henry VIII's reforms, that they rose up in revolt.
In one town they insisted that the priest start saying Mass in Latin again and that he wear proper vestments. When he refused, they took him up the bell tower and hung him by the neck from it with his new robes.
Thus began the great "Western Rising" against the king's new religion. Henry couldn't get any Englishmen to fight against them so he put them down with foreign mercenaries from Ireland and Poland (not speaking the language, they didn't know why they were fighting them). Because of this the rising was suppressed and 3,000 gibbets were erected from Devon to Land's End to hold the bodies of those who had rebelled.
It might have ended in glorious failure back then, but as the USCCB will soon all be bankrupt, they won't have the money to hire mercenaries!!! The possibilities will be endless!
No schism - stop funding. If a Bishop funding boycott was organized like the Stop Specter campaign, I just know we'd see results.
The shock value alone!!! LOL!