I see it this way: Karol Wojtyla's deep background was with the Polish Church in resistance during the Nazi and Communist eras. In both eras, the State was continually trying to destroy the Church's moral authority by multiplying scurrilous rumors, false charges, and bogus prosecutions against clergy (they did this A LOT). Many of the Polish priests and bishops in JP's formative years were indisputably heroic. That's the vision embedded in him: that of the heroic priesthood.
Later on, he was reflexively and strongly skeptical of moral accusations against prominent priests, especially originating in places were the Church was under attack. He trusted "holy priests." He didn't trust the prosecutors or the press.
This was a serious, serious error. It's particularly sickening in, for instance, the case of Fr. Marcial Maciel, where the pervy-priest was a founder of a religious order that was (ostensibly) very vigorous, very orthodox, very rich in vocations and in the spread of the Gospel. All that "virtue," plus Maciel was a sociopath (overworked word, I know) --- a guy who was devilishly adept at living a double life while appearing astute, humble, holy: a master manipulator, a charmer and deceiver, as so many of the sex offenders are.
A person isn't canonized for having no blind spots, no weaknesses, or even for being a good administrator or a charismatic personality. He's canonized in recognition of heroic virtue which makes him an example to the faithful. I think Pope John Paul had that virtue, which we do well to study and imitate.
But you can go to hell by imitating the faults of the saints.
As usual, a most astute post. I will take your words to heart and continue thinking about these issues. Thank you, Mrs. Don-o.