One problem is that there actually seems to be an inverse relationship between how “relevant” a church is to first world sensibilities and its ability to attract and retain members. Primarily in the third world, but in the first world as well, the more accomodating denominations become to liberal/libertarian secular society, the more they hemmorage members. I think the Vatican has watched the struggles within the Anglican communion and ECUSA over the past couple of decades and drawn the conclusion that doctrinal and disciplinary rigidity is in fact the way to increased growth, and that the more liberal/modernist critics of that rigidity wouldn’t be attending church anyway, even if their wishes were granted.

A little interesting discussion of this took place on Cliopatria between Johnathan Dresner and Ralph Luker in this post and its comments.