But then the "fathers of the Church" didn't make any clear, unambiguous scripture to leave no doubt that the RCC was the Mother and Father and Big Brother of all spiritual being, did they.
True, but irrelevant. Naturally, the authority of the Church resides with her bishops.
The running of the church resides with individuals, who can be corrupt or holy, by their individual choice. All individual souls can make covenant with God directly, with or without any church, because the Kingdom of God is within each individual. This script is clear and unambiguous.
A RCC bishop may or may not be saved, according to his relationship with God and the condition of the integrity of his soul. He is no better, worse, closer to or further from God and Christ than any other human being on Earth, according to their individual, sovereign election.
He can be saved or not saved according to his own personal choice, faith and works, regardless of being any official in any church. 