If I am correct that this will turn into a real crisis of faith, where parents simply don't trust priests with their kids, it will be the end of the Church in its present form in the US. If you can't trust a priest to be alone with your kid, why would you ever give money to the church (which supports said priest) or trust him or those who back him about anything?
That's right. I think the faithful will blame the individual priests and/or Cardinals (and rightly so!),and overlook the role played by the "system" (Vatican)in covering this up and allowing it to continue.
(but it sounds like you think it should).
You betcha! This is just more proof that ALL organized religions are evil. They have nothing to do with religion,and everything to do with wealth and power.
If you can't trust a priest to be alone with your kid, why would you ever give money to the church (which supports said priest) or trust him or those who back him about anything?
Because of blind faith,and the need some people have to believe.Their faith gives them the emotional comfort they need,and it's going to take something a LOT more powerful than a few priests molesting children to make them give that comfort up.