Nobody “covered it up”; the reports trickled for decades until there was a need for mass attack by the MSM creating the impression of some major “cover up.”
BTW, the “children” involved were mostly boys: 90%+.
MSM disclose or cover up things to manipulate public opinion. It’s very effective.
Of course the Church covered it up—have you not been paying attention?
And yes, it’s primarily been a gay thing.