A person could get whiplash following the RCC's treatment of priests. He stays in the RCC, he's a "godly man", alas, beset with personal problems, but still in good enough standing and respect within the church to perform sacraments and last rites. He leaves the RCC, he's a "scoundrel" who deserves his place in hell, spit, wail, gnash at every mention of his name.
strange place, the RCC...