When you become your own pope, anything goes.
Our Lord did not assign sheep to become shepherds.
That’s essentially what happens when individuals cliam authority.
St. Paul wrote that “we are the body of Christ, member for member”. This “Body of Christ” is made up of the living members who bear the name Christian and live in the world giving to the world that sign of Christian belief and life.
Is a living body without a head? If there is a visible body of Christian believers, there must be a head to that body.
The Sacred Scriptures have many references to the “rod”. The “rod” always indicates authority/discipline.
Even the early Christians had bishops and elders, recognized as authority.
Jesus had his Apostles, but He was their “head”—their chief Shepherd. When He ascended into heaven, He left the church in their care—a grave responsibility.
That’s why the Pope is called the “servant of the servants”.
That the Catholic Church has a visible head over its visible body in the world until the Lord comes again, should come as no surprise, but rather be seen as in accord with God’s plan.