I guess in a way they are brain washed into believing the Pope and others in authority can do no wrong. No man/woman is perfect and that includes the Pope/Mary. When I see/hear something that seems wrong, I just go to the Bible.
I'm with you! When in doubt go to the Scriptures.
It's tough though for people raised in a system that does not value God's word as the rule of their faith. My wife's side of the family are former RC's. I watched the process first hand and it was hard for them to shake off the conditioning. Praise the LORD most did, but it was years and decades for some.