Vague fears and imagined conditions are not facts.
"where in Scripture does it say it is the authority?"
Perhaps the Papists have excised Matthew chapter 15 from their Bible?
"Mat 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,This is but one of many places that the Lord condemns traditions in favor of the written word. It is only logical; traditions can change for convenience, but the written page remains true.
Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to [his] father or [his] mother, [It is] a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mat 15:7 [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. "
Many "mere mortals" have, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, pointed out the apostacy of the RC church, since it was founded in the 4th century. The light shines into that darkness constantly, but the darkness comprehends it not!