“...we’ve been told only your priesthood can make these assessments.
This is where I see the disconnect in Roman Catholicism....”
These assessments have been made in union with not only valid Catholic priests but also a valid Catholic Bishop.
This is a bad game of chess on your part.
Again....how do you determine who is or is not a "valid Catholic priest or a valid Catholic Bishop"?
Who are these gentlemen to say where the pope is wrong?
You're advancing the argument of the Reformation all over again.