The best way to answer your question is to post our profession of faith - the Nicene Creed, that dates back to 325 AD.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
If the Roman Catholic Church held to the beliefs in the creed without all the other practices ( which seem to be to be syncretic practices) perhaps our congregation would join with the Romans, too.
There are periods in the history of the Roman Catholic Church where the leadership has been very corrupt. It occurs today, on occasion, as well. I don't see where there is any mechanism for the laity to remove these corrupt bishops, cardinals, or popes.
Yet,.. if the member leaves the Catholic Church ( and the corruption under which they suffer) they are guilty of a mortal sin and in danger of eternal condemnation. The only possible solution is to raise up righteous sons and then ( maybe) in two or three generation there would be reform but the member likely won't live long enough to see it. This type of threat ( separation from the “true” church and the “true” sacraments) seems to be almost cult-like mind control.
NY....I am trying to be respectful here. These really are questions that I have about the Catholic Church that I have never been able to resolve.
Sadly....I believe few Catholic children are receiving a truly Catholic education. My daughter taught math in a K-12 Catholic school in Texas. Every one of the teachers and the principal voted for Obama ( a man who voted three times to allow babies who survived abortion to die in the hopital’s utility sink.) My daughter's math class was the **only** class **not** to watch Obama’s inauguration oath.