There is, indeed, a lot of damage being done by hierarchs with low motives in high places. Very grieving to me and, I'm pretty sure, to the Holy Spirit.
However, when Catholics puts this into a realistic perspective by saying that this is not the formal promulgation of error in an official and authoritative form, they're saying they believe the backstop promise of Christ. The last link on the chain won't break and the last fiber on the frayed rope won't give.
Nevertheless, bad discipline negates sound doctrine; and confusion is mightier than the catechism. Perversions are being mainstreamed and souls are being lost. That is a mighty big problem, not entirely resolved by references to Matthew 16:18.
OF course it's grieving to the Holy Spirit. HE'S the one who established the criteria and guidelines for leadership within the church and when the church does not follow it, it is Satan's most effective tool in turning people against Christ.
Bad church politics always have that result, no matter what eh denomination.
What I see happening in Evangelical circles now, however, is the we are aware of the damage done by *churchianity* and the focus now is presenting Christ, not a church.
I don't think as many people are consciously rejecting God and Christ as corrupt churches. The problem is, too many people are confused int heir minds about the relationship between the two.