“The real scandal is that the Catholic church hasn’t distinguished itself from the rest of society.”
Aha! The real scandal is the Catholic church not distinguishing itself against the drifting morals of society. - How true.
The hierarchy of the RC Church allowed gays to infiltrate the clergy. Now, I do not mean to indict every gay clergyman, some of whom strive to live celibate lives just the same as a heterosexual would do. Once multiples of gays were inside the clergy society, it metasticized. Some of these men managed to get advancements to bishoprics, and eventually even to becoming cardinals.
Any society which allows behavior which is against the basic mores of its institution is setting itself up for scandal and abuse. Accusations against priests of abuse against young boys/altar boys and young seminarians, etc. are ignor3ed if the leading clergy of the diocese are also gays. They may be subject to blackmail, for instance, and therefore cover everything up. The harm, and abuse, and sinfulness multiplies.