The Catholic Church is not simply the Catholic hierarchy — those with titles of bishop, or cardinal or pope. These individuals do control the levers of power and authority in the church, but the ...

Commentary: Why the ‘Catholic Church’ is different than the ‘Catholic hierarchy’ (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates a Mass in St. Peter basilica ...

The hierarchy of the Catholic Church requires nearly absolute obedience. This makes it difficult to speak up against superiors. And by the same token, superiors too can protect offending priests.