‘So at the end of the day they will probably get away with it.’
yep; the laity have been sheep so long, they have no clue as to how a wolf acts...
Some Catholics, under the mistaken impression that they are being faithful, have telegraphed the message that they will not leave the Church for ANY reason.
I said, ANY reason.
The clerics interpret that as they can do absolutely ANYTHING and still have some rump remnant that will attend and contribute. Hence they think they will get away with it.