Actually, for the Roman Catholic the problem is a bit more serious than that.
Their own canon law says they are not to publicly incite hatred toward the Apostolic See.
Can. 1373 A person who publicly incites among subjects animosities or hatred against the Apostolic See or an ordinary because of some act of power or ecclesiastical ministry or provokes subjects to disobey them is to be punished by an interdict or other just penalties.
Catholicsstraightanswers.com defines the Apostolic See to mean:
The Holy See is also interchangeable with the term “Apostolic See.” The Code of Canon Law provides the following definition: “…The term ‘Apostolic See’ or ‘Holy See’ applies not only to the Roman Pontiff but also to the Secretariat of State, the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church, and other institutions of the Roman Curia, unless the nature of the matter or the context of the words makes the contrary evident” (#361).
http://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-does-the-term-holy-see-mean/
In other words...ebbtide, and others, who post articles critical of their pope, are breaking their own canon law.
Ironically, they are doing the very thing they routinely condemn Luther for. The irony is not lost.
Further, when the Council of Trent's rulings on who is to interpret Scripture are taken into consideration the lay Roman Catholic is unable to determine on their own the true and accurate meaning of a verse from Scripture:
Furthermore, in order to restrain petulant spirits, It decrees, that no one, relying on his own skill, shall,--in matters of faith, and of morals pertaining to the edification of Christian doctrine, --wresting the sacred Scripture to his own senses, presume to interpret the said sacred Scripture contrary to that sense which holy mother Church,--whose it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the holy Scriptures,--hath held and doth hold; [Page 20] or even contrary to the unanimous consent of the Fathers; even though such interpretations were never (intended) to be at any time published.
Where does all of this leave the lay Roman Catholic?
1) they cannot criticize their pope
2) they cannot ascertain the meaning of a verse from Scripture on their own and have to rely upon the Church...the Apostolic See...the very office they are condemning.
The lay Roman Catholic is at the mercy of the "Church" to instruct them in this manner.
Per Unam Sanctam, the Roman Catholic has to obey their pope. They have no choice.
It's too bad Luther did not have the advantage of the internet in his time to bring all of this information forward. The outcome of the Reformation may have been completely different.
How DARE you quote our own rules back to us; for we have had great catechism classes!!
--Wannabe_Catholic_Dude(Hail Apparition)